I know Mel Gibson has had some issues, but I can’t lie I am still a fan of his work. We don’t get much of him in front of the camera these days, but when we do I am all in. His latest film, Fatman is one that I have been eagerly waiting to see since I heard about it. The film co-stars Walton Goggins and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, but does it bring that violent new direction for the holiday or will it fail to capture the magic of vengeance?

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Fatman follows Chris Cringle, also known as Santa Claus, who is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military to save his declining business. Making matters worse, Chris gets locked into a deadly battle of wits against a highly skilled assassin, hired by a precocious 12-year-old after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. 'Tis the season for Fatman to get even, in the action-comedy that keeps on giving.

 

I was already sold on this premise and Gibson in the role, but it was even more fun than I already thought. The whole real world execution of the Santa mythos was an interesting twist in itself, but add to that the government involvement and violence and it is something altogether awesome. This might be one of the best performances I have seen from Gibson in some time. He brings that gritty aged anger and frustration to the role and yet somehow works as this version of Santa.

 

The always great Walton Goggins is also in form with his calm and violent demeanor pairing perfectly with his neurotic mannerisms. There is seemingly three stories playing out here all headed for a violent collision course that I loved watching every minute of. There were some strange cuts and pacing here and there, but as a whole it delivered exactly what I had hoped and more.

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Fatman is currently available in select theaters, On Digital and On Demand and then hits Blu-ray and DVD on January 26th from Paramount Home Entertainment.