MRS. CLAUS AND THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE NEW YEAR'S

Bad weather and unwelcome guests pose unexpected challenges for the redoubtable Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas Eve launch of Santa’s sleigh always provokes a frenzy of merriment as it rises into the skies above Santaland. But unpredictable weather and the constant threat of reindeer flu have made this year’s trip especially worrisome for April Claus. Although she’s shown increasing poise in her role as Santa’s wife, there are some things her Oregon upbringing just hasn’t prepared her for. So when a rogue sleigh crashes in front of Christmastown Municipal Hall, she and Constable Crinkles need to think fast. They transport the three unconscious passengers to the hospital knowing that when the patients come to, they’ll discover the secret of Santaland’s existence. That discovery would almost certainly lead hordes of tourists to descend, robbing the hidden spot of its unique character. April’s efforts to protect Santaland’s secret by pretending the magic place is actually part of Canada—for example, camouflaging the elves’ pointy ears with a variety of scarves and hats and playing Anne Murray and Celine Dion songs instead of the usual Christmas tunes—have a certain zany charm. But ultimately, the dodges become so comprehensive they get tedious. There’s a murder mystery that feels like an afterthought, and the problem of how to return the stranded travelers home turns out to be easy to solve. But the real problem here is that the charm of the franchise lies in its dedication to all Christmas, all the time. Making its inhabitants less Christmassy makes Santaland less fun.

Here’s hoping Ireland’s next outing restores the most wonderful time of the year to all its glory.