“King vs. Santa”: Family Christmas spirit with a hooligan twist

Already transformed into a tradition (to the delight of cinemas, it must be said), the first Spanish cinematic proposal of the Christmas period arrives, although Santiago Segura went ahead last summer with ‘Padre no hay más que uno 3’. In this case, Paco Caballero delves into his first family proposal with a story that is committed to bringing the adventure and fantasy genres to audiences. We talk about “King vs. Santa Claus”the epic showdown that has long come in the form of a fictional story.

It is already more than tradition that, at Christmas, The eternal debates arise whether to give a gift on December 25th, the day when Santa Claus brings gifts with his imposing sleigh and his inseparable reindeer, or on January 6th, when the Three Wise Men pass by from the East with their camels. also to bring gifts, especially for the little ones. Without a doubt, this confrontation and eternal dilemma was suitable for a family film. Now, what no one would have expected is that he would take himself seriously enough to make a magical adventure story with a certain sense of the epic.

This is achieved by “Kings vs. Santa”, despite its technical limitations. The film tells how the confrontation of their three majesties Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar with San Nicolás awakens the spirit of Krampus, an evil figure whose intention is to cancel Christmas. What’s fascinating is that the film doesn’t just focus on this senseless war, but on how the division of the holiday spirit causes friction in a magical world also inhabited by other characters linked to holidays from all over the world such as the Italian Befana or the Russian Snegúrochkaother characters that are part of Spanish folklore also have their moments, such as Olentzero or Tió de Nadal.

A family comedy that will entertain the little ones of the house

It is this expansion of the magical universe that is the most interesting point of “King vs. Santa”, which It’s still a familiar proposition that seeks to entertain and entertain on the big screen. As with other titles that confront two iconic characters, finally, the Three Wise Men and Santa Claus will join forces, thus teaching the little ones that the most important thing is the Christmas spirit and that it can take many forms. That pedagogical look makes ‘Reyes contra Santa’ a proper family proposition, even if Caballero knows how to bring it to his own turf.

Proof of this is that the film has a humor that, at certain moments, has a hooligan and acid touch, especially as regards the long friendship (millennial, it should be remembered) that Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar have. On the other hand, the limits of the visual effects (which weigh down the final result of the film), manage to be moderately provided by its main actors. Karra Elejalde, David Verdaguer and Matías Janick have put all their hearts into interpreting Their Majesties of the East. The screenplay, co-written between Carmen López-Areal, Benjamín Herranz, Lelé Morales and Eric Navarro, takes advantage of favoritism for Baltasar or Melchor to create an interesting subplot for Gaspar that raises the uncomfortable question of whether the Three Kings have a personal life . Mention also goes to Isa Montalbán, the royal page, who offers a renewed air to the three Magi.

Added to the villain who could very well be the alpine version of the Grinch, ‘Reyes contra Santa’ is a nice and funny production designed for the whole family that also stands out for being very honest with its statements, which must provide a moment of entertainment for all audiences on the big screen. A purpose that manages to fulfill.

Note: 6

The best: The charisma and chemistry of Karra Elejalde, David Verdaguer and Matías Janick.

Worse: It has a few moments of wide-ranging humor that overshadow the end result, nor is the confrontation between the Kings and the Krampus quite as epic as it promises and its visuals, at certain moments, are too overt.