Catch Me If You Claus (TV Movie 2023) Poster

(2023 TV Movie)

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8/10
Original plot for Hallmark and Christmas.
mysay-97-58108625 November 2023
Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus. Kudos to Hallmark for having something that isn't be repeated a million times over. I thought the story was clever and funny. I loved both Luke and Italia in their roles. There might have been some predictable parts but at least it was completely enjoyable. No girl falling for a Prince of some foreign country or some kid wishing for his parent to fall in love. I will put this one in my list of repeat Christmas movies.

~~~~~~ Please keep doing fun movies like this. From my house to yours, wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! ~~~~~~
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8/10
Well done
Jackbv12324 November 2023
Yes Virginia, I mean Avery, there really is a Santa Claus. There is Santa magic but not as smooth as you are used to. Santa's son is on his first delivery mission and things are a little messed up. If you have seen the previews you know that he get's tied up by Avery. Meanwhile, Avery just wants to get to sleep so she is fresh for her debut as anchor at channel 71 news.

Things are wild and crazy and get more complicated for the Avery and Chris. They get mistaken for the "fake Santa thief" but there is more to it than that.

Luke Macfarlane is perfect for this and he has great chemistry with Italia Ricci. Avery seems to bring out the best in Chris and vice versa.

The script is great. The dialogue is funny. The comedic timing is good.

I'm not sure if this would be great for kids. There are bad guys and threatening thugs. Thing is, I don't remember seeing any guns and no real bodily harm. Santa exemplifies positive and honest values.
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8/10
This was great
mbiv77729 November 2023
I had a lot of fun with this one.

I've seen Luke McFarlane play a lawyer, a tutor, a stuffy businessman and a tree farmer, but now all of a sudden he's Santa Claus' son. He plays this over the top (the New Yo-uk) accent was inspired) and provides laughs all through.

I've never seen Italia Ricci play anything, but she was the perfect choice as they had excellent chemistry and bounced zingers off each other throughout.

The plot involves a news anchor on the eve of her big break, who believes she is capturing the Santa Claus burglar, a local criminal who has been in the news, but in reality she's captured the son of Santa Claus during his first night taking over for dad. His pleas fall on deaf ears until she realizes things don't add up, and the two determine to solve the mystery before sunup.

This is a well-written, well thought out story, fun for teens and up. There's some bad guys that might scare little kids.

This will make a nice addition to the Hallmark lineup in the next few years.

Thankful that Hallmark has gotten back to what made them so good and the agenda has been dialed way back this year, although the commercials....
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6/10
Glad I stayed through to the end!
rdubz-2351820 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
At around the 59 minute mark, I was ready to give up on this movie. It was VERY slow to start, and honestly, Avery not believing Chris was who he said he was got annoying fast. But I'm glad I stuck with it, because it ended up being pretty cute in the end.

The plot and twists were so-so, and I honestly had to rewind a couple times to make sure I knew who they were referencing character wise, but all in all what made this good was (as per usual) Luke MacFarlane! He's a Hallmark staple for a reason, and this was no exception. Italia Ricci was alright; I feel like the first half was sort of rough, in that she was kind of dialing it in and/or overdoing it, but she mellowed out in the end.

The theater troupe was one of the best parts of the movie! I'm not exactly sure how Chris and Avery are going to work out the whole dating thing, given that he's Santa and all, but it's movie magic for a reason lol.
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6/10
Fun!
allmoviesfan8 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A Hallmark movie that doesn't really look or feel like a Hallmark movie.

Hallmark veteran Luke Macfarlane and the gorgeous Italia Ricci are fantastic as, respectively, the son of Santa Claus (Chris, of course) taking over the family business, so to speak, and Avery, an aspiring TV local host at Channel 71 in Dayton, Ohio, who is looking for her one big break. Turns out, she thinks she has caught the so-called Santa Crook breaking into her house - the scenes where Chris has to do his present delivery thing with his hands tied together are some of the best in the movie. It's a case of mistaken identity, though, which soon gets cleared up and what starts as an uneasy alliance becomes something much more. There were some twists and turns I just didn't expect to find in a Hallmark movie - very refreshing.

The chemistry between Ricci and Macfarlane is fantastic, and a well-written script that is actually funny (unlike, say, Haul Out the Holly or it's sequel) and suits the comedic chops of both actors. The best Hallmark work for both actors, if you ask me.

Fun stuff.
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9/10
WELL DONE, HALLMARK!
ukoutlaw-9246524 November 2023
WOW! Another actual Christmas COMEDY from Hallmark Channel this year! (Please also note "Mystic Christmas" and "The Santa Summit")

The plot revolves around a TV research assistant who is hankering to become a news anchor like her famous mother. Unfortunately, she got very nervous in her audition and blew her chances.

There is also a string of home robberies being perpetrated by robbers disguised as Santa. The police can't catch them. Can a research assistant make her bones by capturing the robbers herself???

Too many of HM's rom-coms merely make make you smile or occasionally chuckle. "Catch Me If You Claus" is REALLY funny and had me actually laughing out loud! It has physical comedy as well as witty dialogue and sight gags. Luke Macfarlane, a loyal Hallmark retainer(!), and newcomer(?) Italia Ricci head up the cast and do a great job dealing with whatever wackiness comes their way.

HALLMARK CHANNEL! MORE ACTUAL COMEDIES, PLEASE!!!
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7/10
This was hysterical, largely thanks to Luke Macfarlane.
cgvsluis6 December 2023
Luke Macfarlane plays the newly anointed Santa in this Hallmark holiday film and he is hilariously fantastic. He has adopted this kind of innocent character for the new Santa. Unfortunately, he doesn't have everything worked out and wakes Avery while delivering the wrong package to her house.

Want to be reporter Avery, awakened and confused finding a package wielding man dressed like Santa in her livingroom mistakes him for the very real thief that has been dressing like Santa breaking in and stealing from people. She is on the eve of her first big on tv appearance and is not thrilled with having to deal with an intruder...when she discovers Kris is not the thief and that the mayor's man is somehow involved in looking for the criminals, she finds herself with the opportunity of a lifetime to break a case on air.

I loved the low budget theater group who won three Tony's...pizza that is. Lol! They were great, but what really was the humorous glue holding it all together was the handsome and funny Luke Macfarlane.

If you like a funny Hallmark holiday film, you'll get a kick out of this and I recommend it.
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10/10
Screwball comedy
prof50025 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
10 for originality on the part of Hallmark. This movie is a screwball comedy similar to the ones made in the 1940s - lots of absurd plot twists, misunderstandings, confusion, and villains that practically twirl their mustaches. Justice prevails in the end and Christmas and the two leads' jobs are saved. The laughs are played up and the romance is downplayed for a change, but the romance is still there. Also a touching Christmas party with a troupe of actors, who have each other as a family, and welcome our two leads when they are on the run. Luke MacFarlane does his usual great job and has good chemistry with the lead actress. Just laugh and enjoy it!
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4/10
Santa sure like kissing...
hallmarkmov29 November 2023
Was this a comedy? The mystery movies this year have been a bit off with so muchhhhhh talking! Non stop! There seems to be some big story but all the convoluted stories, scenes, and running around, then circling back, just made it hard to follow. Santa didn't feel like Santa. Security guards are more trustworthy than police. This wanna be reporter tries to come out from under her mom's shadow, and there's a bunch of people at the news station and no one else to report the news? The magic of Christmas just wasn't in this movie. The very long make out scene so seemed very un- hallmark like. Also a random name drop of Beyoncé. Why are they name dropping celebs this year? Just stay in the hallmark snow globe not reality. This movie felt like a mess of a ride but I guess this is how all the mystery movies are. There's probably some appeal and certain audience that really like the chase of the clues and try to figure them out before the end but I lose interest half way and really don't care about the ending.
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10/10
Catch a falling Santa
splashpont24 November 2023
Hallmark has a new style of romcom which can only be described in one word: hilarious! This movie makes a shiny exhibition of the comic chops of romcom favorite, Luke MacFarlane.

The title of this movie is reminiscent of a film with a similar name, revealing that there's more to this romcom than meets the eye. When a little Christmas Eve/Morning investigation ensues: Who will be discovered?

Who will be on the run?

Who will be captured?

Who will kiss at the end?

Will it be Santa?

Must be Santa!

(Or, will it?)

Invite your friends to sleigh ride over. As you watch this movie, don't be surprised if you catch yourself smiling with Santa.
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1/10
Really Awful...couldn't even finish it.
mariecarhart13 December 2023
So many GREAT Hallmark movies this Christmas! This, sadly, isn't one of them. Boring and pointless. I couldn't even get through it. It dragged on aimlessly until finally, half way through, I gave up and deleted it from my DVR. Many great Hallmark movies to watch this Christmas: A Biltmore Christmas, The Santa Summit, Norwegian Holiday, Haul Out the Holly: Lit up, Ms. Christmas. Don't waste your time on this one. I love most of them but they can't all be winners and each season there are many fabulous but a couple of clunkers. The other one was Joyeux de Noel. Wanted to love it-set in Paris..what's not to love?! Terrible acting and boring! Again, for the most part; they're usually great.
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10/10
He is Back!
Pvrspecialist29 November 2023
Great comedy movie with a little rom thrown in. Luke MacFarlane is back! This character suits his method of acting and doesn't fail to entertain. He was in a couple of recent Christmas movies that were so bad I wondered if Hallmark had put him on the shelf. But this and the one with Ashley Williams has brought him back. His pairing with Italia Ricci was a great choice. Some speak of chemistry between actors, I think these two also show respect for one another. The creators also made a holiday movie without the need to have a child in it to show the joy of Santa. Actors terrific, story great, can't help but get that feel good feeling and even laugh, and you must watch if only to catch a ride to somewhere warm.
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10/10
Luke MacFarlane In
andrew_garduno24 November 2023
This is hilarious, look at Fairlane is funny is just this fits him perfectly I've liked all his movies here and Hallmark but this one is got to be the best he's ever done don't let him go Hallmark he's a standout . The perfect Holiday movie.

I don't wanna leave any spoilers on this, that would be wrong those who want to see it need to watch it on Hallmark when it's on I'm watching it now it's almost over and I keep laughing on this whole thing is absolutely funny. Also he pairs well with the leading lady. Usually he pairs well with all the leading ladies he has a good rapport with all of them good chemistry. I don't want to give spoilers on the show people need to watch it it is just great so far this is one of the best ones for the Christmas season.
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4/10
Did not really catch me
gfrasmd24 November 2023
Hallmark comes with their version of a Christmas farce-caper, probably with the aim of appealing to many tastes and ages. It seems that, with the coming new installation of the "Haul out the Holly" saga, which I have, personally, found idiotic, and other entries to come, they have decided that ingredients like mystery and farce may add flavor to their productions, progressively hampered by a vanishing Christmas spirit. In this, they cannot claim any originality, either. ION TV has overused the concept in the last couple of seasons. Here stars Luke Mc Farlane, memorable for several enjoyable, when not brilliant, roles in the past. In my opinion, he seems somewhat uneasy in this one, and definitely subpar, as a result.

The film walks the thin line between cute and silly, with some undeniably charming moments and many others that feel trite, when not awkwardly stupid. Italia Ricci, whom I like an respect, is kind of wasted in the hodge-podge. In the attempt to provide too many things, the movie ends up not charming enough for children, not funny enough for adults, inane as a mystery, and rather insipid for the romantic viewers. It does have some attractive moments and is suitable viewing for all ages, for which I would not classify it as a total failure. Where has Christmas Spirit gone, though?
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10/10
Its funny, its a love story, its great. I need a sequel
rcscholl-0968031 December 2023
I loved this holiday movie from Hallmark. I laughed, I cried. It made my night. I want a sequel with luke and italia. It was a serious story yet filled with fun and it also made me cry - tears of happiness. Luke McFarlane is an awesome actor and Italia Ricci is a beautiful and talented actress. I have seen a number of movies with Luke. I think i have seen Italia before but frankly not enough. Put her in some more movies Hallmark!!! I'm sad that he didn't take her to the North Pole and ask her to marry him. I think that should be the sequel. She becomes Mrs Claus. That would be a great ending or perhaps the start of a miniseries.
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5/10
Santa's a Regular Guy...
rgilkison-6123724 November 2023
Fortunately, there is good casting (Luke MacFarlane 👍as Chris, and the lovely, Italia Ricci, as Avery, in "Catch Me if you Claus", which will help you, at least partially overcome a big stretch taken on the legend of Santa Claus. If you are a soIemn "believer" you will be saddened, here, that being Santa is a learn-on-the-job responsibility, no longer held by the Kringle family, and that Santa can take a joyride on his sleigh in the off-season (nobody notices?)...In another borrowed theme this season, you can guess, by the title, this movie will be a fast-paced adventure. Chris is failing his first trek, as Santa, delivering gifts - he mis-delivered a gift, and has half-the-world, leftover, to complete his duty in less than 5 hours. Avery, on the other hand, has her biggest opportunity in her TV news career - anchoring the morning news, and yes, that's in a few hours. They get entangled in a criminal conspiracy involving the town mayor and a "Criminal Santa", who is actually an ex-employee, turned vigilante. Avery, who is well-aware of the APB out on Criminal-Santa, mistakenly apprehends Chris coming from her fireplace. He apparently has no Santa magic to break free, so the two of them, once she deduces Chris is the real-deal (he does have Santa's "sees-you", "knows-you", insights when convenient in the storyline) , team up to solve the crime. It's corny back and forth comical-action, but it does serve to draw our leads, Chris and Avery closer. It feels more like an endearing friendship is developing (a traumatic life-experience, together), but they get a long kiss in, under the guise of covering their faces to escape discovery by the mayor's henchmen. You can't fault Hallmark for venturing into non-exhausted plots; but this one, somewhat unique and whimsical, requires plenty of your attention for all of the scene changes. This pathway left me more relieved, than emotional about any good will or romance that could develop; therefore, as we draw closer to Christmas, I would move this farther down your watchlist...

..
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8/10
Silly Christmas caper
MickyG33310 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
7.5 stars.

Now and then we catch the scent of 'Home Alone'-esque hoodlums. A couple of thieves are committing a string of robberies disguised as Santa and his cohort, and another bunch of criminals is attempting to locate and obtain an important item for a prominent politician. Caught in the middle of this conspiracy are Chris (MacFarlane) and Avery (Ricci). She is an aspiring news anchor and he's ummm, well, Santa Claus? Or at least Santa's son. Avery and Chris are implicated in this criminal masquerade due to matching the descriptions of the Santa robbers.

'Catch Me If You Claus' begins on a superbly high note, I loved the first 45 minutes. The story is rich, with a plot that revolves around her working hard to get the news anchor position and by coincidence (or is it?) this delusional guy who thinks he's Santa stumbles into her home. As the story continues, they get entangled in this whirlpool of crime drama, necessitating they "perform", sneak around, and escape multiple predicaments. The first portion of the caper was exciting and fun, but I feel they overplayed it. As it winds down, the story picks up again, ending with an enjoyable and unforeseen redesigning of the usual Hallmark formula.

On a side note: the interactions between Chris and father Claus were brief, but poignant as they express the age old relational struggles between fathers and sons. Another side note is it looks like we are being set up for a sequel. Maybe we will have an Avery Claus in the future.
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8/10
Fun watch
mblake-624266 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The kissing scene in the car was pretty hot. And hilarious (the part with the guy in the back seat).

Interesting premise. Something different to watch. I love that it was kind of a mystery. This role was really good for Luke MacFarlane. Some of the roles he's played he doesn't do so well and but this one was perfect for him. Silly and cute.

It was a very fun, exciting movie that had a happy ending. Really well made. Movie. Well put together by everybody. Good acting. Top notch. And it was funny at times! Loved it.

It helps that Luke McFarlane is pretty cute.

One of my biggest complaints is that while the first kiss was hot, the second kiss was less than. Not that it had to be hot, but it wasn't natural. Could have been better. It was like they were just trying to wrap up the movie and get it done.
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2/10
Complete Garbage
sbradfor-863-21523825 November 2023
The two leads tried to save this poorly written movie, but the writing was so awful that it wasn't possible for them to pull it off. I've seen Luke in other movies where he did well. What a convoluted mess of a story. It just meandered around like a drunken fighter trying to connect but never landing a punch. My 5th graders can write better stories than this. Most of the actors were one dimensional. Maybe it wasn't their fault however because their characters were written one dimensionally. The thespians were the only good part. Two hours completely wasted. Skip this turkey. You probably got enough of that at Thanksgiving.
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