Bring on the Christmas Spirit with The Search for Santa Paws
Sam Connan, 12-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic had this to say about the film:
I think that The Search for Santa Paws is a really wonderful Christmas movie; it really got me in the Christmas spirit. When you see the commercials you think, ‘oh, it’s a little kid movie,’ and the first few minutes would say that you’re right. However if you get past those first few minutes you will see that a complex and touching plot unfolds before you that all ages could enjoy.
In The Search for Santa Paws, Paws the dog (voiced by Zachary Gordon) is a gift to Santa (Richard Riehle) from the recently deceased Mr. Hucklebuckle. Paws and Santa travel to New York City on a routine errand to visit all of the ambassadors to the North Pole just before Christmas. Little do they know that things are about to go horribly awry. Another main character is a little girl named Quinn (Kaitlyn Maher, recently seen on America’s Got Talent). Quinn was recently orphaned and is plunged into a situation that’s a lot like Orphan Annie with a Christmas theme. As can be expected of a Disney film there is a part where all seems lost, but don’t worry.
The first musical number is very cheesy and I’d be embarrassed to sing it, but the rest of the music was very well done, especially a sweet little song that Quinn sings. The cinematography was pretty average, but the interior of the Hucklebuckle Toy Store was very well done; it looked very inviting and cozy. The special effects were superb; it really looked like the dogs and reindeer were talking. When the reindeer pulled the sleigh golden sparks burst from their hooves, and it really looked like the reindeer were pulling, not just gliding along. I liked both of these.
I rate this movie an eight out of ten stars, for comedy, and special effects. The only reason that I take away the two stars is because it wasn’t the most amazing movie. It’s not that it’s lacking anything, it’s just I don’t think it quite deserves a ten. My suggestion is go and buy it, rent it, borrow it from a friend, just get your hands on that movie by Christmas!
Credit: Sam Connan, Age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
