Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012)

Awesome Movie

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Blistering performances.

Like the other movies she's been in, this one is only worth watching for Kaitlyn Maher. But otherwise, it's just painful!The pups themselves are bland and obnoxious, the magic STILL doesn't make any sense, the implication in the message that there is NO love outside of Christmas spirit is downright DEGRADING to anyone who has ever loved anything, in other words EVERYBODY, and when you get right down to it, these pups were completely pointless! No seriously, there is a scene with a chalkboard showing animated chalk drawings of carolers, feeding the homeless, cheering up kids in the hospital, and the latest addition to a young family carrying on their own Christmas traditions; the movie never shows the pups doing ANY of this!Nobody's lives were enriched by the pups' involvement! Sure they grant a wish here and there, but it wasn't because of them! Nobody thanked or even acknowledged the pups for what they did, because the pups had no part in granting these wishes! If Christmas spirit could be wished away completely by accident like this, I think that means these crystals don't actually need anyone for them to grant the wishes. It could have gotten to Pineville by accidentally falling into Mrs. Clause's purse before she goes on her search for the new ambassador, it overhears and grant's any and every wish within earshot, (even the bad ones), and the Mrs. and Kaitlyn save Christmas because they know that you can't destroy Christmas, as long as there is love in the world. There is literally NOTHING that the pups did, that couldn't be done by anyone else!

At the North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves are always busy. But, they also have a canine crew to help make Christmas wishes come true, Paws and Mrs. Paws. Now comes more golden helpers, with the arrival of four puppies. The three girl pups, Charity, Hope, and Jingle, join their only brother in classes taught by elves. You see, it will be the puppies future job to spread holiday cheer to communities and to reward unique wishes with the help of magic crystals. But, these little doggies have a great deal to learn, so no crystals yet. Naturally, they are too impatient. So, when Mrs. Claus (Cheryl Ladd) loads up a sleigh for an advent trip to the joyous community of Pineville, the puppies sneak on board AND pilfer an elf's stone. Once in the village, Mrs. Claus is mistaken for a new nanny for widower Thomas Reynolds (George Newborn) and his two kids, Sarah (Kaitlyn Maher) and her older brother, Carter (Josh Feldman). Having recently lost his wife, Mr. Reynolds is trying to make do by continuing a cheery radio program with help from his talented, singing daughter. But, alas, big brother is very much NOT in the holiday mood, still missing his mother greatly. Thus, the stage is set. Out come the pups and one of the first folks they run into is young Reynolds. As the boy opens his mouth to speak, the crystal is stroked to ensure a wish is granted. Right you are, the wish is for the Christmas spirit to vanish from the town! What have these puppies done and can it be corrected? As the "grumpy attitude" spreads like a cold from person to person, will Pineville have a dreadful season? This is a nice film for families, with darling canines and a good cast. Ladd, Newborn, and especially the very talented youngster Maher are quite fine and Maher can sing like a wee angel. Danny Woodburn is terrific as elf Eli. Also, the look of the film is lovely, with a sophisticated art direction, and it also has an enjoyable, funny tale. On top of it all, there are the adorable dogs who steal scenes and hearts. The only problem this viewer can see is not everyone enjoys musicals, with songs being sung to the interruption of the action. Nonetheless, most extended families will consider this a nice diversion for the holidays and "pause" to include it in an evening's get-together.

Well, first - hallelujah! This is a Christmas movie that actually mentions, if only obliquely, the REAL reason for Christmas! No, not jolly family get-togethers and being nice to strangers and animals, but Christ! Although, as I say, the mentions are very oblique and shouldn't offend any atheists.Second - oops! Kids and adults alike will be confused by this movie. Kids will be confused because the little girl playing the lead role, Sarah (who has a dad), is the same actor who played the lead in the first Santa Paws movie - only in that one, she played an orphan called Quinn. Sarah looks precisely the same as Quinn (perhaps a year or so older), and has an absolutely indistinguishable character from Quinn (naive and cuuuuuute).Adults will be confused because one of the three erstwhile sexy Charlie's Angels, Cheryl Ladd, plays a relatively glamorous but unmistakably matronly Mrs Claus.Otherwise - the plot is predictable and clichéd, but bearable. And the pups, of course, are gorgeous. Oh - and this time, the majority of them (three out of four) are ... prepare for a shock ... FEMALE. Disney must finally be learning. Took them long enough ...

Disney continues their "Air Buddies" franchise with "Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups" this Christmas. After sitting through several of these movies, I can tell you that most of the time they aren't made for parents at all. I refer to these types of movies as "babysitters." You play them for the kids and exit the room immediately. That being said, I found this holiday entry into the series tolerable and easier to watch.The Santa Pups sneak a ride on Mrs. Claus's sled as she heads to Pineville. Once they get to the town, they start granting the wishes of the children there. Unfortunately, one wish goes awry and Pineville's Christmas Spirit begins disappearing. Mrs. Claus and the Santa Pups must find a way to save the town and bring back Christmas Spirit to its citizens and the rest of the world.It's easier for me to tolerate these ridiculously cute movies when they're wrapped in Christmas paper. I'm a sucker for anything that has to do with the holiday. "Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups" is also made watchable thanks to the fact that it doesn't lean as heavily on the animals like most of the "Air" and "Santa" Buddies movies do. The humans are involved in the storyline to a greater degree, making it easier for adults to identify with.Cheryl Ladd stars as Mrs. Claus and pours her heart and soul into the role. It's hard to believe a Charlie's Angel is playing Santa's wife. George Newbern portrays a widowed father whose son has lost his Christmas Spirit. Most people will recognize him as Bryan MacKenzie in the "Father of the Bride" films. Danny Woodburn returns to the role of Eli the elf which he brought to life in the first "Santa Buddies" movie and its sequel, "The Search for Santa Paws."The "Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups" will bring holiday cheer to boys and girls everywhere. Although some parents might find it difficult to sit through these movies, rest assured this one is easier to take in. One thing you can count on is it's appropriate for any age child and perfect for family night in front of a fire with the dim light of your Christmas tree in the background.