Fatman
Saban Films | Release Date: November 13, 2020
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
33
Mixed:
28
Negative:
9
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
antthegreatNov 25, 2020
movies so so stupid its great. Mel Gibson is perfect in this movie. while the plot is very childish the execution is A1. 100% recommend
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
clem238Nov 26, 2020
Very well done and the cast is awesome. The production value is high. Great job by everyone. Definitely watching again. Two thumbs up for me. :)
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
SamchiecchiNov 27, 2020
Excellent movie!!! Had no idea about the movie and I’m glad. I loved it!! Tells a great story about HOPE!!! Great story, acting, directing!! A must see!! It’s a new DIE HARD for Christmas movie!!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
1MoviemanNov 13, 2020
I liked the movie. The theme was crazy but I still liked the film. I have liked a movie that got a bad review and have walked out of a movie that got a good review.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
thegreatreviwNov 24, 2020
Don't listen to the critics, they have no idea. This is a solid action movie with an insane premise.

I like it, I have no idea why, but I think it's great. Everything in the movie is played 100% straight - pretty much just like theDon't listen to the critics, they have no idea. This is a solid action movie with an insane premise.


I like it, I have no idea why, but I think it's great.

Everything in the movie is played 100% straight - pretty much just like the trailers setup. There's a couple moments that might make you grin, but there's really no laughs at all. It isn't a comedy. This is a true 'What if Santa was real'

situation that takes the next logical step and goes to 'what if santa pissed off the wrong people with his gift/coal giving activities'

Surprisingly great chemistry between Santa (Mel) and his wife (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), there's awesome little tidbits of an expanded lore/explanation for elves, santa's immortality, arrangements with the US government, implication that Santa has been fighting off people for a long time (centuries?).

It's just... so, so weird.

It doesn't 100% commit to turning Santa into a John Wick style maniac, and it doesn't go for jokes. It takes that one concept and runs with it and never second guesses itself.

It truly is - "What if Santa was real" - and the very real implications of that… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
SuthessannairNov 20, 2020
A gritty Santa clause tale seeking for hope in a grimy future. Mel Gibson is good as always here, but cookie stealer was definitely Walton goggins as a assassin. The premise is simple but good characterization really helped here. The actionA gritty Santa clause tale seeking for hope in a grimy future. Mel Gibson is good as always here, but cookie stealer was definitely Walton goggins as a assassin. The premise is simple but good characterization really helped here. The action is serviceable but some of the background score was a bit out Place. Camerawork was good enough. With some weird choices made. Although the pacing is a bit slow, definitely rewards the viewer for staying till the end.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
actionrxnNov 23, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fatman is a good Christmas action movie with an original view on Santa’s life. Mel Gibson is very believable as immortal Chris with a gun protecting his winter house and hardworking elves.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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0
XandNov 25, 2020
0/0. Is the worst movie I've seen this year, probably in my life. I really want my money and time back, despite I am really tolerant with bad movies.
With a crazy premise, you would expect something smart, surprising or whatever in a0/0. Is the worst movie I've seen this year, probably in my life. I really want my money and time back, despite I am really tolerant with bad movies.
With a crazy premise, you would expect something smart, surprising or whatever in a positive sense.
We can't talk about a "development", the plot doesn't worth to talk about it.
The funny situations are not funny at all, it feels when someone boring tells you a joke and you don't know how to react.
I don't know what was all about. Someone had the idea of create a different kind of Christmass movie but everything was way too boring and nonsense.… Expand
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
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0
Wildsong54Nov 28, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Worst movie ever. This was a horrible disjointed plot, it has nothing whatsoever to do with Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Christmas or the spirit of Christmas. Somehow the US Military seemed to be involved, but it totally lacked believability.

Don’t watch this movie, save your money. Apple billed it as a comedy, there was NOTHING funny in the plot, the characters, the costumes or anything about this movie. I’m sorry I bought it from Apple and would like my money back if I could get it!

There was no battle of wits that was advertised, there was only a bunch of shooting, people dying, blood and gore.

NOT A HOLIDAY CLASSIC and will never be one.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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0
Chrissilva71Dec 19, 2020
I legitimately made this IMDB account so I could hopefully spare you the hour and a half I just wasted. This movie was a heaping pile of garbage and deserves 0 stars. The fact it had a 5.9 star rating before this review blows my mind clearlyI legitimately made this IMDB account so I could hopefully spare you the hour and a half I just wasted. This movie was a heaping pile of garbage and deserves 0 stars. The fact it had a 5.9 star rating before this review blows my mind clearly the people writing these reviews are uncultured and don't know a good movie from a cheesy, aggravating, lazily written plot full of holes that will leave you going wtf. Mel Gibson's prime has come and gone and this movie, atleast for me, was the nail in his coffin and I will not trust another movie where he plays the main role. This review unfortunately will not make me feel better about the time I have wasted but I hope you read this and do not have to feel that way. There are other crappy films out there that don't cost anything to watch. Watch LITERALLY anything else… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
theirrelephantsDec 27, 2021
I liked this movie, but if you asked me why, I couldn't really tell you. The plot was just sort of there, and not really that interesting. It bordered on being a childish disney villain-esque sort of scenario, but this is not a movie forI liked this movie, but if you asked me why, I couldn't really tell you. The plot was just sort of there, and not really that interesting. It bordered on being a childish disney villain-esque sort of scenario, but this is not a movie for children. The elves were funny, so was mel gibson.

It's fun to watch, but I'd only recommend it if you had absolutely nothing else on your list.

My only real complaint is the wife. Aside from making her black for no reason (and ugly, what was with that haircut?) she had no reason to be in the film either.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
RalfbergsDec 31, 2020
Quite a silly premise, but actually pulled off quite well. While the plot did drag on for long time till any action and the whole action part is packed in some short tiny space, I still enjoyed watching it and was nice. Only maybe action partQuite a silly premise, but actually pulled off quite well. While the plot did drag on for long time till any action and the whole action part is packed in some short tiny space, I still enjoyed watching it and was nice. Only maybe action part should've been longer and made a bit differently. But was nice movie and completely different idea from the usual Christmas movies which is nice.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
MarkTakayamaSep 13, 2021
This is another mediocre movie by Mel Gibson. He did a great job, but the story was kind of weak. It might be a good movie for kids. After they watched it, they will behave very well.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
GunnerMcDaggetAug 31, 2021
I don't know why this movie exists. It's generally boring with terrible writing and no real direction. It's one of those movies where you hope the ending will redeem it. And the ending is just slightly OK.

Not worth the time.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
JLuis_001Dec 22, 2020
Interesting twist to a ''Santa'' story but it feels to dumb. I mean, I know it's not supposed to be taken seriously but still.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
markcd1234Dec 22, 2020
One of those movies that is unlike any other, great to see something original these days.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
SoulWarfareDec 12, 2020
Fatman is a film with such a ridiculous premise that you wonder how it was even made. The premise is that " Chris Cringle, also known as Santa Claus, is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military to save his declining business. MakingFatman is a film with such a ridiculous premise that you wonder how it was even made. The premise is that " Chris Cringle, also known as Santa Claus, is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military to save his declining business. Making matters worse, Chris gets locked into a deadly battle of wits against a highly-skilled assassin, hired by a precocious 12-year-old, after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking". I was very intrigued by this movie and the fact that Mel Gibson himself is playing Santa Clause. So was the movie a jolly good time or giant lump of coal?

Firstly, the idea and concept of this movie are great. It's ridiculous but it's different and a unique take on the legend himself. The director/writer (Eshom Nelms) manages to somehow bring this legend and make him grounded in reality (sort of). Seeing Chris's/Santa's struggle with declining income due to lack of nice kids and having to not make toys but help the military is intriguing. You're watching this movie hoping to see how Chris/Santa overcomes this dilemma and you want to see him be fulfilled by the end. There is also the massive tension with the impending Hitman getting closer to discovering Santa's location that adds some thrills to the movie. The third act is also a blast to watch.

Mel Gibson as the titular character is great casting as well. Mel doesn't phone it in and gives a genuinely strong performance. One moment that sticks in my mind is the part where Santa has to tell the elves that they have to work with the Military. Through Mel's eyes and his bodywork, he convincingly shows the audience how heartbreaking this is for Santa and its surprisingly quite moving. Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Ruth Cringle/Mrs Clause is also really good and her interactions with Chris Cringle/Santa (Mel Gibson) is where the heart of this movie is. The chemistry between the two is heartwarming and makes for an enjoyable watch when the two are together. Chris is grumpy and frustrated the world but Ruth gives him the words and encouragement he needs which is what keeps him together. Walton Goggins as Jonathan Miller the Hitman is good casting as well. He is quirky yet scary and Walton gives a good performance in conveying that. However, the movie does have some pacing issues and can feel quite slow at times. There are a lot of scenes that are just people walking that I feel could have been cut. Likewise, there are a couple of scenes involving the Hitman shopping which I don't think needed to be in the movie and slowed the pacing. Some scenes add to world-building but not the main narrative such as how elves work or how Santa is stronger than normal people. Nonetheless, the scenes don't amount to anything as Santa doesn't ever use his super strength or how the elves operate doesn't matter as they aren't that important to the main story. The 100-minute runtime could have been shortened by at least 10 minutes in my opinion.

The movie also has a fair amount of tone clashes. When the movie begins with the kid, it feels like a family comedy. When it goes to the hitman the movie feels like a dark comedy and after getting the call to kill Santa it feels like a thriller. When it comes to Santa it is character-driven drama and then the third act is an action movie. The movie will constantly change perspective from Santa to the Hitman and occasionally to the kid leading to some jarring tone changes. It doesn't always mesh well and can be a bit annoying when it goes to the kid as those parts aren't as enjoyable as the other stuff.

Overall, the movie is surprisingly enjoyable. Despite the absurd premise, the movie delivers a relatively entertaining movie with some potent and heartwarming scenes. It may not be a full-on action movie that marketing might lead you to believe but it is certainly a good time.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
MindurbidnissNov 30, 2021
Pointless. Absolutely pointless. An attempt at a Christmas western that feels completely bloated with it's postering as No Country for Old Men meets Polar Express. Seems like an SNL skit that someone with connections was some how able to fundPointless. Absolutely pointless. An attempt at a Christmas western that feels completely bloated with it's postering as No Country for Old Men meets Polar Express. Seems like an SNL skit that someone with connections was some how able to fund as a full length feature. 2 points for the small amount of action in the end of a film that makes a 95 min run time seem way too long.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Dizzyd2323Dec 20, 2020
I personally enjoyed this take of "Santa Claus". This movie has a bigger focus on Mrs Claus(Ruth) which was one of the highlights. All the characters were played well, and the action was above average with underlying comedic moments keepingI personally enjoyed this take of "Santa Claus". This movie has a bigger focus on Mrs Claus(Ruth) which was one of the highlights. All the characters were played well, and the action was above average with underlying comedic moments keeping things loose. I will watch this movie for many Decembers to come.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
TruthdishNov 30, 2020
I can't believe the critic reviews are so low for this. Then again, I can as Mel Gibson has been blackballed. Great movie. Instant holiday classic.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
NicolepmNov 27, 2020
Absolutely everything I could want in a movie. Mel Gibson plays Chris Cringle in a gritty, dramatic, dark and wonderfully realistic version that fits today's America to a T. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a thrilling yetAbsolutely everything I could want in a movie. Mel Gibson plays Chris Cringle in a gritty, dramatic, dark and wonderfully realistic version that fits today's America to a T. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a thrilling yet heartwarming action/christmas movie… Expand
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8
WindtunnelDec 15, 2020
Older Generation must see. An adult Love Story. Enjoyed the simple, deep and relevant to year 2020. Casting is perfect. Thank you, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Mel Gibson, for wonderful depiction of a special couple that has lasted throughOlder Generation must see. An adult Love Story. Enjoyed the simple, deep and relevant to year 2020. Casting is perfect. Thank you, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Mel Gibson, for wonderful depiction of a special couple that has lasted through the ages. Not a children's story, maybe teens. An Inspiring story for the year.… Expand
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6
RincemacDec 26, 2020
Not the worst somewhat "Christmas" themed Santa movie you'll ever see, certainly not the best. But a solid performance from the main actors on what was likely a low production budget outweighs the at times long-drawn and somewhat convolutedNot the worst somewhat "Christmas" themed Santa movie you'll ever see, certainly not the best. But a solid performance from the main actors on what was likely a low production budget outweighs the at times long-drawn and somewhat convoluted 97 Minutes with a pretty fulminant finale.

I do have to admit I like Mel Gibson, and I do separate the actor Mel Gibson from why so many seem to "hate" him and would like to disavow him and even his more than solid past works.

So, cancel culture aside, I do think he delivered a very solid performance as "Fatman", named "Chris Cringle" in this far-flung idea that, somehow, Santa does exist, has a government contract to fulfil his annual toy quota and to "keep up the spirit of Christmas" while he's working his Elfs in his Sweatshop.

Walton Goggins as an adquately "villainized" character is up and about to get a contract from a very, very naughty child prodigy who's putting a hit out on old Santa for all the wrong reasons.

To see how this plays out will be a somewhat boring affair likely for younger viewewers (let's call them Gen Z, shall we?) brought up on 5-20 second cut segments entertainment also thanks to TikTok and whatnot. This has long cuts. Loooong Cuts. Sprawling expositions. Unnecessary drawn-out segments are in there as well that add nothing to story but are interesting aspects of the characters portrayed.

These failings are offset by as many lovable as unlovable characters who are all given adquate background set in a pretty interesting story. The only downside is that for the one big bogeyman, "Mr. Slim" (played Walton Goggins), this fails to set up his motivation. While giving him ample room to establish again and again he's a primo A-Hole and AAA Antagonist, we only get a slight glimpse into what might have brought about his miserable choice of profession through a very short scene I found a) too late and b) highly clichéd.

Plus, prepare to wait a long time for the "Action" part here, as the movie draws out to full length before we get to that. But it'll be worth it I think if you're into slower-going drama/action and it definitely has some strong characters and ideas worked into it.

Nevertheless, give this a berth if you're expecting an Action Fest (it's not) or a 10/10 story - it's more a 5/10 cinematography, 7/10 Story and 1/10 Action!

Worth a look for a boring Sunday afternoon.… Expand
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10
HurricanejoelnoMay 3, 2021
This has no right being as good as it is. The trailer tells you exactly what you're going to get and I came out of watching that movie feeling so good. It's a ridiculous idea they took completely serious and it works!
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4
Craftnight405May 9, 2023
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Der reiche und böse Junge Billy Wenan bekommt dieses Jahr nur ein Stück Kohle vom Weihnachtsmann, weil er sich schlecht benommen hat. Daraufhin schickt er den Auftragsmörder Jonathan Miller (Walton Goggins) der keine guten Erfahrungen mit dem Weihnachtsmann gemacht hat. Währenddessen hat der Weihnachtsmann Chris Cringle (Mel Gibson) selber Probleme, da die Kinder immer böser werden und die Weihnachtsstimmung immer weniger wird, haben er und seine Frau nicht mehr genug Geld um zu überleben. Das führt dazu, dass sie Maßnahmen tätigen müssen, die ihm nicht gefallen.

Mel Gibson spielt Santa super und ist einer der wenigen Charaktere, die sympathisch sind und ein wenig Charakter haben. Der Junge Billy ist richtig, schmierig und ekelhaft und man wünscht ihm nur das Schlechteste. Jonathan Miller ist der typische Bösewicht in solchen Filmen und ist nur mit reinen Klischees behaftet. Er ist böse auf Santa, weil dieser ihm keine Geschenke gegeben hat, richtig neues macht der Film nicht. Während das Konzept und auch der Anfang des Filmes interessant aussah, musste man früh feststellen, dass der Film nichts einhält, was er verspricht. Schwarzer Humor wie behauptet ist nicht wirklich vorhanden, wenn nur ganz kurz das gesagt wird, dass es Kinderarbeit gibt und diese mehr gefördert wird als Arbeit für Erwachsene. Der Film versucht das Konzept Weihnachtsmann realistisch darzustellen, in dem der Weihnachtsmann einen roten LKW fährt und kein Schlitten, außerdem hat er Geldsorgen und auch er hat mit Bürokratie zu kämpfen. Der Film wird, solange er geht, immer schwächer und schwächer und auch leider langweiliger. Erst am Ende treffen der Killer und Chris aufeinander und kämpfen gegeneinander. Der Kampf ist nicht wirklich interessant gemacht. Die Story mit den Elfen ist nicht interessant und ist langweilig. Ein Problem ist es auch, dass viele Sachen am Ende richtig unrealistisch sind, was der Film ja eigentlich nicht sein möchte. So schafft es ein Killer eine US-Army im Alleingang zu besiegen. Am Ende dachte ich, dass der Film wenigstens konsequent bleibt und Chris wirklich stirbt. Doch auch das haben sie sich nicht getraut und haben am Ende nur noch den bösen Jungen bestraft.

Fatman ist eine reine Enttäuschung und zeigt einmal wieder, wie stark man ein gutes Konzept verkacken kann. Mel Gibson ist ein guter Cast gewesen und rettet den Film ein bisschen. Solche Art von Filmen gibt es schon viele und dieser gehört definitiv zu einer der schlechtesten. Wenn man im Vergleich sich Violent Night anschaut, sieht man einen starken Qualitätsunterschied. Dort passt nämlich der Humor und der Film wird nie langweilig. Also wenn man so eine Art von Film zur Weihnachtszeit sich anschauen möchte, sollte man Violent Night oder Kevin allein Zuhause sich anschauen.


4/10… Expand
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