Christmas build-up on TV2

TV2:
The Santa Clause 2
Saturday, 17 December at 7pm

Tim Allen is back at his jolly best when The Santa Clause 2 screens tonight on TV2.

He’s been wearing the big red robe for a few years now, but Scott Calvin aka Santa Claus has found himself with two problems: firstly, his own son has found his way onto the naughty list and secondly, if Santa doesn’t find himself a Mrs Claus quick smart, he’ll lose his robe, reindeer, and fat rolls.

But when he goes on temporary leave to solve these two problems, things go from bad to worse when the replacement Santa decides to redefine naughty and nice.

TV2:
Up
Sunday, 18 December at 7pm

It’s a comedy-filled family adventure when the Disney Pixar film Up screens tonight on TV2.

Seventy eight-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen finally fulfils his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old named Russell.

Up is a heart-warming and hilarious journey into a lost world, with the least likely duo on Earth.

TV2:
Monday through Friday from 5pm

In the lead-up to Christmas, family movies screen every afternoon this week, starting with A Bug’s Life on Monday, 19 December at 5pm.

Each summer a gang of greedy grasshoppers – led by the menacing and manipulative Hopper (voice of Kevin Spacey, American Beauty) – descends upon the ant colony to demand a hefty portion of the ants’ hard-earned harvest, and generally make life miserable for this peaceful community of bugs.

Flik (voice of Dave Foley, Vampires Suck), an original thinker out of step with the rest of the more traditionally-minded colony, takes it upon himself to get outside help and mistakenly enlists an unemployed troupe of bug performers from a second-rate flea circus to join the fight against the grasshoppers. Working together in their new-found friendship, the ants and the circus bugs prepare for a climactic confrontation with the grasshoppers. When Flik’s plan starts to unravel, the action and comedy turns fast and furious as he attempts to save the colony, and his reputation.

On Tuesday, 20 December at 5:20pm, Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet (The Reader) and Hugh Jackman (X-Men) lend their voices to Flushed Away.

Roddy (Jackman) is an uptown society mouse, a beloved pet in a penthouse apartment who lives the high-life. So when an unkempt rat comes into the house, Roddy hatches a plan to rid himself of the rodent. But when his plan backfires, this snobby house-mouse finds himself in the rat-race of the sewer system.

With the not-so-willing help of the sewer-smart Rita (Winslet), and trying to dodge the wrath of the Toad (voice of Sir Ian McKellan, The Lord of the Rings), Roddy attempts to find his way out, or rather, up.

On Wednesday, 21 December at 5:20pm, it’s an outrageous computer-animated comedy-adventure when an odd assortment of animals from the New York Zoo discover what a jungle the city can be in The Wild.

When one of their own is mistakenly shipped to the wild, the animals embark on a dangerous mission to rescue him. The film boasts an impressive vocal ensemble – Keifer Sutherland (as the respected lion leader, Samson), Greg Cipes (as Samson’s son, Ryan), Jim Belushi (as Benny, the street savvy squirrel and Samson’s best friend), Janeane Garofalo (as quick-witted giraffe Bridget), Richard Kind (as dim-witted anaconda Larry), William Shatner (as wicked wildebeest Kazar), and Eddie Izzard (as Nigel, an acerbic koala) – along with cutting edge animation, and a story filled with hilarious situations.

On Thursday, 22 December at 5:25pm, a flashy new “space ranger” named Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen, The Santa Clause) enters the world of a pull-string cowboy named Woody (voice of Tom Hanks, Castaway), sparking an outrageously funny tiff between toys in Toy Story.

Now Woody’s top spot in the heart of his young owner is in jeopardy… and soon so are the lives of Woody and Buzz! Accidentally whisked away from home and into the clutches of a neighbourhood bully, these two squabbling rivals must work together as a team if they are to escape. With toy box pals Rex the dinosaur, the Green Army Men and Mr. Potato Head ready to lend a hand, Woody and Buzz unite in friendship for a phenomenal adventure home.

Following on from Toy Story, Friday, 23 December’s film will be Toy Story 2, screening at 5pm.

This time around, the fun and adventure continues when Andy goes off to summer camp and the toys are left to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector kidnaps Woody, who hasn’t the slightest clue that he is a highly valued collectible. It’s now up to Buzz Lightyear and the gang from Andy’s room (Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm) to spring into action and save their pal from winding up as a museum piece.

There’s plenty of excitement and fun as the toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get home before Andy does.

TV2 Holiday Specials
Monday through Friday at 7pm

Each night this week at 7pm, TV2 will be screening a half-hour holiday special from some of your favourite animated characters, starting with Prep & Landing, on Monday, 19 December.

Ever wondered how Santa gets around so many houses on Christmas Eve? Elves of course! Prep & Landing is the story of Wayne (voice of Dave Foley), an elf who believes that Christmas is just a job.

After working for 227 years preparing homes for Santa’s arrival, Wayne wonders if all his efforts make any difference. His patience is put to the test when he is paired with Lanny (voice of Derek Richardson), an idealistic rookie who embraces the spirit of the holiday season. The elves encounter unexpected challenges on their mission, and Wayne learns that his job does indeed have an impact in a very surprising way.

On Tuesday, 20 December, Wayne and Lanny will be back with Prep & Landing 2.

With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology that has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission, a bombastic member of the Coal Elf Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel.

On Wednesday, 21 December, just when Shrek thought he could finally sit back, relax and enjoy his happily-ever-after with his new family, the most joyous of all holidays arrives in Shrek The Halls.

It’s Christmas Eve, and everyone is filled with holiday cheer, except for Shrek. He isn’t exactly the picture of yuletide joy, but for the sake of Fiona and the kids, he tries to get into the spirit of things as only an ogre can.

Unfortunately, everyone seems to have their own ideas about what Christmas is all about, so when Donkey, Puss in Boots, Gingy and the whole gang try to join in on the fun, Shrek’s plans for a cozy family celebration end up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas.

Starring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas, this is a half-hour of holiday entertainment with everyone’s favourite ogre family.

On Thursday, 22 December, join TV2 for a brand new holiday adventure starring everyone’s favourite Central Park Zoosters in Merry Madagascar.

When Santa and his sleigh unexpectedly crash-land on Madagascar, the jolly gentleman gets a case of amnesia. So it falls to Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria—along with the ever-inventive penguins—to deliver the presents and save Christmas. And it doesn’t hurt that Santa’s sleigh just might be able to make a little trip to New York City, so they can finally return to their beloved home!

But during their appointed rounds, the four re-discover the magic of giving, and that it is ultimately more important than their own wish to return home. Throw in a long-lasting North Pole/South Pole rivalry between the penguins and Santa’s reindeer, magic flying dust and a King Julien-based holiday called (what else?) ‘Julianuary,’ and Merry Madagascar serves up a comic holiday story like no other!

Starring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Then, on Friday, 23 December, it’s a Kung Fu Christmas with the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special.

But this season is far from merry for Po. With the Winter Festival coming up, Po is asked to host the exclusive formal banquet for the Masters of Kung Fu. A great honour, but Po’s father Mr Ping has planned his restaurant’s party for the same evening. Mr Ping refuses to move the party, cook for Po’s banquet, or even forgive his son for not being able to attend his event.

As Po struggles to deal with his conflicting responsibilities, he must decide who needs him more – and the solution to his problems might come from the least likely of places.

Starring the vocal talents of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu and Seth Rogen.

Comedy Christmas Special – A Feast of Funny
Wednesday, 21 December at 8:30pm

It’s laugh out loud Christmas cheer as some of the best local and international acts come together for TV2’s Christmas Comedy Special – A Feast of Funny, screening tonight at 8:30pm.

Filmed in front of a live audience at Auckland’s Sky City Theatre, A Feast of Funny is hosted by British comedian Jason Cook, who has recently been awarded his own BBC show. He is joined by some of Australia’s finest, such as Wil Anderson and Tom Gleeson (who’ll make you think twice before getting a massage on holiday), American comedian Des Bishop on his first trip to New Zealand (who managed to see the funny side in his battle with testicular cancer), and Irishman David O’Doherty (who’ll put you in his keyboard-accompanied songs if you do anything stupid).

Some of New Zealand’s finest are also in the fray, such as the always politically incorrect Brendhan Lovegrove, Simon McKinney and his incredible ability with accents (an authority on the seduction powers of Sean Connery’s) and South African-born self-described sex symbol Urzila Carlson.

Wrap your laughing gear around the Christmas Comedy Special – A Feast of Funny.

Missed Christmas Comedy Special – A Feast of Funny? Full episodes are available online. Go to tvnz.co.nz and click the Ondemand link.