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Fred Claus

This week's new releases, by Jay Bobbin of Zap2it, are rated on a scale of one to four, with * equivalent to a poor rating and **** meaning excellent.

HANCOCK

**

Will Smith has played his share of screen heroes, but his latest doesn't walk -- or fly -- the straight and narrow, even with superpowers, in this unusual mix of fantasy and dark comedy. As the title character, Smith has bad habits that make him less than admirable despite his amazing abilities. He rescues a publicist (Jason Bateman) who decides to reform Hancock's image, to the evident concern of the PR man's wife (Charlize Theron). Director Peter Berg uses special effects judiciously in trying to make the film as much a character study but succeeding only in part. DVD extras: five "making-of" documentaries.

FRED CLAUS

**

What? You didn't know Santa had a brother? According to this comedy, the jolly old elf (Paul Giamatti) has had reason to keep his sibling (Vince Vaughn, reunited with "Wedding Crashers" director David Dobkin) under wraps. Fred needs a fast infusion of cash, and Santa only will agree to help if Fred assists at the North Pole -- which could give an efficiency expert (Kevin Spacey) all the ammo he needs to dismantle the famous workshop. Kathy Bates, Miranda Richardson, Elizabeth Banks ("W.") and rapper Ludacris also turn up in this less-than-fuzzy take on the holidays.

SPACE CHIMPS

***

The title pretty much tells the story of this enjoyable animated tale about monkeys sent into orbit. Andy Samberg ("Saturday Night Live") voices the most rebellious member of a simian crew dispatched to recover a probe, with Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Patrick Warburton supplying the voices of the other travellers. Jeff Daniels is heard as an alien who could thwart the mission. Also in the vocal cast are Kristin Chenoweth ("Pushing Daisies") and Stanley Tucci. DVD extras: "Casting Session" featurette; television ads; photo gallery.

24: REDEMPTION

***

It's been a while since the Fox suspense series' last new episode, and in the week it's also televised, this movie bridges the gap between the show's previous season and the new one coming in January. Counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is in Africa, where he has become a missionary who makes a stand against a dictator using children in a nefarious scheme. Jon Voight is introduced as a villain who will return later. Other new cast members include Gil Bellows, Robert Carlyle and -- as the new U.S. president -- Broadway veteran Cherry Jones. DVD extras: audio commentary by Sutherland, director Jon Cassar and executive producer Howard Gordon; "making-of" documentary; deleted scenes; "Season 6 in Four Minutes" recap; preview of the show's next season.

A COLBERT CHRISTMAS: THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

***

If you're familiar at all with the satirical nature of "The Colbert Report," you can guess the approach of Stephen Colbert's first holiday special won't be typical of most shows of this sort. Also being presented on Comedy Central this week, the program finds the comedian welcoming peer (and, since Colbert was launched to fame by "The Daily Show," mentor) Jon Stewart and musical guests Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Toby Keith and Feist celebrating the season in a singular way. DVD extras: "The Spirit of Christmas" featurette; video Advent calendar; "book-burning" video Yule log.

MEET DAVE

**

Admittedly, one role Eddie Murphy never had earlier was that of a spaceship. He plays one, which takes the image of a human, in this attempted comedy that also features Murphy as one of the microscopic crew members aboard the vessel. They follow a missing object to Earth, where they are fascinated by the allegedly primitive culture and its habits. Elizabeth Banks (who's been very busy lately), Scott Caan ("Ocean's Eleven") and Gabrielle Union also appear. DVD extras: outtakes; "Crew Confessions."

Coming soon:

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN

Dec. 2

The youngsters from the previous story return to Narnia and help the title prince (Ben Barnes) try to claim the throne that belongs to him.

STEP BROTHERS

Dec. 2

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play grown men -- all evidence to the contrary -- who become rivals under the same roof when their single parents marry.

WANTED

Dec. 2

An office drone (James McAvoy) is surprised to discover his secret skills as an assassin. Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman also star.

THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE

Dec. 2

Mulder and Scully (David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson) are brought back into FBI duty to find a missing agent.

THE DARK KNIGHT

Dec. 9

Batman (Christian Bale) squares off with the Joker (Heath Ledger) in director Christopher Nolan's box-office blockbuster.

HORTON HEARS A WHO!

Dec. 9

The classic Dr. Seuss story gets fresh animated treatment, with Jim Carrey supplying the voice of the title elephant.

Oldies but goodies -- If your local video store is fresh out of the newest titles, give these attractions a try:

THE SANTA CLAUSE

1994

***

In this Disney comedy Tim Allen is enjoyable as a divorced dad who magically morphs into Santa when Kriss Kringle needs a replacement.

n Little Screen appears in Life & Times each Friday.