Critic Reviews

• Desson Thomson, Washington Post

  Sweet-natured fun for the very young.

• Catherine Foster, Boston Globe

  Oedekerk ... and his team have taken the traditional animation techniques to another level -- creating snowflakes that seem to fall into the audience -- and they pull the viewers into the film.

• John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

  Harmless entertainment for kids and just smart enough to appeal to parents.

• Matt Weitz, Dallas Morning News

  The action sequences are fun and reminiscent of combat scenes from the Star Wars series.

• Donald Liebenson, Chicago Tribune

  The movie has an avalanche of eye-popping visual effects.

• Stephen Holden, New York Times

  It is best appreciated as an immersion in a three-dimensional toyland outfitted with enough whimsical gadgetry to fill a thousand playrooms.

• Natasha Aitken, Empire Magazine

  A bit of kid friendly seasonal cheer that is refreshingly without the usual lashings of schmaltz.

• Arthur Salm, San Diego Union-Tribune

  Fluffy, schizophrenic (there's liberal borrowing from both Care Bears and The Empire Strikes Back) and oddly annoying.

• Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star

  A mildly diverting seasonal entry that should amuse the small fry while giving their parents a couple of chuckles and a few perplexing moments.

• Willie Waffle, WaffleMovies.com

  one twisted, hilarious and visually stunning IMAX 3D short film that could stand toe-to-toe with the wackiest episode of South Park (minus the vulgarity)

• Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

  Odds are that your family will enjoy "Santa vs. the Snowman," an oddball animated Christmas tale in IMAX.

• Vince Koehler, Entertainment Spectrum

  This film is a tongue-in-cheek story about a nameless Snowman at the North Pole who declares war on Santa because of jealousy.

• Jill Jess-Cahir, Sacramento Bee

  A fun piece of on-the-edge filmmaking.

• Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

  An entertaining kids' diversion.

• Shlomo Schwartzberg, Boxoffice Magazine

  Lacks ambition and wit.

• Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

  The film has a few cute ideas and several modest chuckles but it isn't exactly kiddie-friendly... Alas, Santa is more ho-hum than ho-ho-ho and the Snowman (who never gets to play that flute) has all the charm of a meltdown.

• Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card

  Despite lacking any truly breath-taking 3-D imagery, the film still looks good and has a good sense of humor.

• Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press

  Its frequently clever script has appeal for kids, who won't understand the innuendo, and parents, who are likely to note that, at 32 minutes, Santa doesn't overstay its welcome.

Read all 18 critic reviews