Jingle All The Way MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1/2

Frantic and hilarious best describe this Christmas time comedy starring Arnold Schwartzenegger as an overworked dad trying to obtain a popular toy for his son's Christmas. Anxious to prove that he loves his son and that he keeps his promises, Howard Langston (Schwartzenegger) spends all of Christmas Eve day frantically trying to obtain a very scarce toy, Turbo Man, for his son's Christmas. In addition to hoards of others trying to obtain the toy, Howard must contend with comical postman Myron Larabee (Sinbad) who is determined to get the toy for his son. Their contests bring on many a funny confrontation between the two determined fathers. They fight, punch, and wrestle each other and others through department stores and the streets in their quest for the elusive toy. Their frenzied search climaxes in a fabulous Christmas parade and battle where Howard poses as Turbo Man himself and Myron is his evil opponent. The action and laughs never let up in this riotous fun fest.

Reminiscent of the HOME ALONE movies, this comedy is filled with almost continuous slapstick striking, beating, chase threats and confrontations of all kinds. A man is trampled by a crowd, irate women batter Howard with their purses, people are knocked down, a small bomb explodes in a policeman's face, a huge Santa beats up Howard, and Howard even knocks a live reindeer out, only to help it recover. All this violent comedy might be considered harmless fun, but in one scene Howard's son kicks Sinbad in the genitals which is played for laughs. This carries the slapstick violence too far. Happily, though, crude language is limited to one moderate and five mild crudities, along with one less severe obscenity. And only a few mild sexually suggestive remarks and advances are made by Howard's neighbor, Ted (Phil Hartman) toward Howard's wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). At the same time, Howard truly wants to be a good husband and father, and he has a loving relationship with this wife and son. Unfortunately, the genitals kicking scene seriously mars the films acceptability.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox, 10201 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036