RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus

RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus is a special edition performance by the beloved trio Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett, famously known as the team behind Mystery Science Theater 3000. This unique comedic experience is a laugh-out-loud movie commentary of the 1959 Mexican fantasy film "Santa Claus" in which the RiffTrax team wraps the holiday spirit with their trademark wit and humour.

The title might suggest a typical Christmas tale, but RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus is anything but usual. Revolving around the 1959 film of the same name, the movie sees the iconic Santa battling a devil named Pitch, deployed by Lucifer himself to disrupt Santa's Christmas Eve trip and corrupt children of the Earth towards evil. This idiosyncratic portrayal of the beloved Santa is infused with peculiar elements, surreal visuals, and eccentric themes that the RiffTrax team exploits to create an unforgettable comedy experience.

As a cinema event broadcast live to theaters in 2013, RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus is more than just a motion picture. It's a performance with the hosts riffing the feature film in front of a live audience. It blends cinematography with theatre, adding an extra layer of entertainment for viewers, as audience reactions become part of the experience. The show's charm is not just in the trio's perfectly timed commentary, but also in the dynamism and spontaneous nature of the live setting that it incorporates.

The protagonists of RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus are not just the characters in the original film, but also the comedians themselves. The comical chemistry between Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy is the film's core as they utilize their signature style to create routines out of the movie being presented. Michael J. Nelson, the head writer for most of the original Mystery Science Theater 3000 series, effectively anchors the commentary team with his dry wit and astute observations. Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, known for their roles as Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo, respectively, contribute their distinctive voices and comedic timing to enhance the overall comedy of the event.

The 1959 film's cinematic choices and narrative faults serve as fodder for comedic commentary throughout RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus. Every unusual character, outrageous plot development, and incoherent special effect is turned into the object of satire. However, even as the trio ruthlessly tease the film, their delivery doesn't seem malicious. Instead, they create a sense of camaraderie with the audience, as everyone is invited to participate in this shared experience of laughing at the film's flaws.

One of the unique aspects of RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus is how it transforms the viewing experience of the original movie. What could have been a difficult film to watch due to its inconsistency and low quality turns out to be a delightful spectacle full of in-jokes and clever references that keep the viewers entertained from start to finish. In doing so, the RiffTrax team creates a new layer of interpretation over the existing material, which makes it appealing even for those who might not typically venture into the genre of older fantasy films.

Though the movie under the commentary microscope is Christmas themed and the event was initially streamed live during the festive season, RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus doesn't limit itself to being a seasonal spectacle. The humor crafted in the film is timeless, and the comedic narrative that the RiffTrax team develops over the original film transcends the holiday season.

RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus is an ideal treat for fans of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 series, but it's also highly accessible for newcomers to the format. It doesn't require prior knowledge of the style and makes for an excellent introduction to the world of comedic commentary. With its merry blend of absurdity, wit, and offbeat humor, this movie encapsulates the essence of the RiffTrax franchise and serves as a perfect illustration of the trio's everlasting charisma.

In conclusion, RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus is more than just a riff on a classic film about a holiday icon. It's a comedic scorcher that sizzles with clever humor, hilarious commentary, and an unforgettable live performance. From the first minute to the last, this film is guaranteed to keep the audience in stitches and proves once again that sometimes, the best way to enjoy a movie is by rampantly making fun of it.