Geeks logo

Mel Gibson Is a Gun-Toting Santa Claus in ‘Fatman’

What could go wrong???

By MovieBabblePublished 3 years ago 3 min read
1
Saban Films

Fatman is an R-rated action movie starring Mel Gibson as Santa Claus… I can already feel many people shaking their heads. But, if you’re more like me, you might think this has the potential to be one of the most entertaining films of the year.

This Holiday Season…

Chris Kringle (Mel Gibson) or, as he’s commonly more known as, Santa Claus, is real. Everyone knows this. Staying true to his myth, every Christmas Eve he travels around the world, bringing presents to good kids and lumps of coal to naughty kids.

But after years of generous service, Santa has grown weary of the modern world. The ratio of naughty kids keeps growing — they’ve even elected one into the White House! Lately, Santa can be seen chugging down whiskey in a rundown bar or shooting at cans. As you can probably guess, you shouldn’t mess with this particular Santa.

Due to the higher influx of coal under Christmas stockings, the government is threatening to cut off a significant portion of Santa’s funding. To save his business, Santa takes on a government project. Instead of toys, military gadgets will be assembled in his workshop, courtesy of his hardworking, sugar-gobbling elves.

But when Billy Wenan (Chance Hurstfield), a sociopathic little brat (with a seemingly intentional resemblance to Ben Shapiro), receives a lump of coal on Christmas morning, he vows revenge. He hires the assistance of a man referred to as “The Skinny Man” (Walton Goggins), a professional assassin with his own personal grudge against the Fatman. As The Skinny Man tracks down Santa’s workshop, Chris is ruminating on his place in the world and whether he still has what it takes to be Santa Claus.

I Guess We Have to Talk About Mel Gibson…

The notion of Mel Gibson playing Santa Claus will immediately turn off a select group of critics. While I don’t want to discredit anyone’s journalistic integrity, it’s hard to deny that some of the negative reviews surrounding Fatman had everything to do with the casting of Mel Gibson, rather than the film itself.

I’m not here to make a judgment call whether people should watch Gibson’s films or not. For me, it has become a tiresome debate. It’s a personal thing. It either bothers you or it doesn’t. I don’t think it’s right to question the character of anyone on either side.

Though it has derailed his career for a while, it certainly hasn’t destroyed it. In the past few years, Gibson has appeared in numerous films, as well as having directed the 2016 award-nominated Hacksaw Ridge.

People’s personal issues aside, the man is undoubtedly talented. I’m personally not his biggest fan when it comes to his directorial efforts, especially when it comes to his complete disregard for historical accuracy and subtlety. At times, his historical epics go so far with their nationalistic tone, that they border on fascistic. I also am not aching to see that rumored sequel to The Passion of the Christ, the ridiculous Catholic-guilt-infested gorefest.

As an actor, however, there’s no denying his presence and charisma. The guy seemed manufactured for Hollywood fame. From his starring role in the post-apocalyptic Mad Max franchise to playing the suicidal goofball Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon franchise, Gibson certainly has made his mark on the action genre. But even his naysayers must admit he has range. Besides the action genre, he’s also shown himself to be skilled in both comedy and drama. He even made a decent Hamlet.

As the eponymous Fatman, Gibson plays up the aging, gruff action he’s been portraying of late, such as in Blood Father. There’s the raspy voice as well as the cool demeanor. But similar to that role, he imbues the character with a sense of sadness, as he laments the loss of the Christmas spirit within the current generation of children. Gibson seems perfectly cast in the role. While other performers might have played up the silly aspects, Gibson takes the role seriously. The script luckily offers enough warmth, especially in his moments with Mrs. Claus (the delightful Marianne Jean-Baptiste). When he finally is called to come into action by the film’s climax, Gibson once again convinces that even at his age, the guy can still throw a punch and look convincing doing it.

...

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE ON OUR WEBSITE: https://moviebabble.com/2020/11/16/mel-gibson-is-a-gun-toting-santa-claus-in-fatman/

review
1

About the Creator

MovieBabble

The Casual Way to Discuss Movies! Head over to moviebabble.com to see all our content!

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.