Given that it was directed by Jin Choi II (Lilo and Stitch) and Peter Lepeniotis (Toy Story 2), it is a big surprise this animation was such a let  down.

Produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment, (MetaJets) this animation film sees a young boy called Trevor trying to prove to his friend Veronica, that Santa Claus exists. Veronica – a sceptical science geek – only believes what she can see, so the idea of an overweight man being carried by a few ‘flying’ reindeer doesn’t amuse her. However, a song with an incessant repetitive chorus just about gets the message across.

With the help of his two friends, Errol and Gabriel, (Nathan Stephenson), Trevor plans to capture Santa and prove to Veronica and the rest of the world that Father Christmas exists.

Meanwhile, a corrupt icicle monster called Lefreeze (Cathal J. Dodd) is plotting his revenge against the podgy present giver, because he didn’t receive a gift one Christmas as a young icicle. So, with his snowmen sidekicks, this band of icy evil-doers travel on a huge Christmas pudding planet to kidnap Santa.

While Lefreeze and Trevor are planning to snatch Santa, the man himself (played by William Shatner) is planning to break his North Pole round-trip record. Perhaps he wants to get out of the house, as his stylish, rail thin wife (Kristina Nicoll) has got it into her head that he should take up a healthier diet?

Most of the songs spontaneously interrupt the dialogue and are not very catchy or memorable. The most entertaining number is sung by Lefreeze. The moody icicle monster suddenly decides to dance, wearing a top hat, swinging a cane and doing can-can kicks, all while singing a jazzy track.

For a children’s film, it doesn’t capture the imagination or keep you interested. The story line is predictable and the songs are forgettable. In addition, for children who are at the cusp of not believing in Santa Claus, Veronica pushes the idea of  Santa Claus being a myth, far too strongly. Veronica’s pointing out unrealistic statistics, which are supposed to be possible for Santa, might be the final piece of the puzzle for some children. And what a shame, just before Christmas.

Star Trek fans are going to wish they could warp forward to 2013 now it has been announced the release date for the anticipated sequel will be a rather long time off, 17th May, 2013.

The sequel to the 2009 blockbuster hit is yet to be find a title and doesn’t begin shooting until January, but fans have been spoiled with some juicy titbits. Prior to the announcement, Abrams confirmed that he was in early negotiations with Benicio Del Toro to play a villain in the film, and that long time Abrams collaborator, composer Michael Giacchino will be back to set the mood with another breathtaking score.

It has also been confirmed the film will indeed be in 3-D, a move that has surprised those familiar with J.J Abrams’s work. The director has been vocal about his reluctance to go down the 3-D avenue, not because he is opposed to the idea as such, but because he has little interest in the medium. “I have nothing against the 3-D theory,” he said in January of this year. “But I’ve never run to the movies because something’s in 3-D.” So did he change his mind of his own accord or was there persuasion involved? We suspect Paramount has a lot to do with the decision.

So for all you non-Trekies, what is all the fuss about? After all, Star Trek has had many remakes and spin-offs over the years including: the TV series Voyager, Star Trek the Next Generation and Star Trek Enterprise.

Based on the original 1966 series, the film included all the original iconic characters such as Captain Kirk, Spock and Scotty. Considering the iconic nature of the series, it was inevitable that fans would scrutinise the film’s faithfulness to the source material, and following in Williams Shatner‘s footsteps, Chris Pine played James T. Kirk chronicling the early days of the USS Enterprise, and how the young trouble-maker Kirk became the captain.

The film was a hit and holds the record as the highest grossing film based on a television series as well as introducing a new generation to the franchise. A sequel was inevitable, so fans will be excited to see where J.J. and the team take Kirk and his crew next.

All the key members of the original cast will be returning for round two, including Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.

Excited? Let us know.

“The fun of this [new alternate 'Trek' reality] is that the destiny of these characters is in their hands — it’s not constrained by the pre-existing films or TV series” explains J.J Abrams.

Read the full article over on MTV