Film Review - "Klaus"

Klaus
Directed by Sergio Pablos
Starring Jason Schwartzman, JK Simmons, and Rashida Jones

There's two things we don't get a lot of these days: Traditionally animated-films, and good Christmas films. Klaus, Netflix's first original animated film, which hit the streaming service earlier this month, is a near-perfect film in both regards.

Jesper (Schwartzman) is a selfish, lazy trust-fund child coasting through the postal academy by doing the minimum of the bare minimum. His father, in an effort to teach him a lesson, assigns him to be the postman of the town of Smeerensberg. Smeerensberg is an absolutely miserable town, populated by two constantly feuding families, The Krum's and The Ellingbow's. Jesper's father tells him he has one year to deliver 6,000 letters while there or he's cut off from the family fortune.

Desperate to make his quota and escape the horrible town, Jesper discovers Klaus (Simmons), a reclusive woodsman who has a large stock of handmade toys. Jesper gets the idea to have the children of Smeerensberg write letters to Klaus asking for toys. Soon this reluctant partnership turns into an unlikely friendship, and both Jesper and Klaus start to bring out the best in each other. Their actions soon start to change the mood of the townsfolk, particularly the children, much to the dismay of the heads of the feuding families.

So, yes, Klaus is another Santa Claus origin story. It's a mostly* original take on the story of how he came to be. After all these years it's kind of hard to do something new with Santa in film I think, but there were story elements in Klaus that were surprisingly fresh and original. The script does things with the character that I don't think have been done before, which is really nice. That said while Klaus is the titular character, the film is really Jesper's.

Let's talk about Jesper for a second. His character arc is fairly predictable, and I guess to an extent the screenplay is as well. Naturally Jesper starts to become less of a jerk and more selfless, and begins to question his original motives, and you can figure it out from there. But it's all executed so wonderfully you don't really care. The characters are just so likable and you really get immersed in their story and their world. You really believe in the friendship of Jesper and Klaus, which is the heart of the film.

Jason Schwartzman has played jerks and nice guys before, and he's perfectly cast as Jesper, a guy who transforms from the former to the latter. As far as finding actors to play your Santa Claus, JK Simmons is unexpectedly inspired casting. He's got the gruff seniority and warmth which blends together for a great take on an iconic legendary figure. Rashida Jones plays Alva the schoolteacher turned fishmonger, because none of the kids in town will come to school. Again, this is perfect casting. Her voice is so sweet and nurturing, but she also brings the edge of cynicism that the character needs. Classic Anne Perkins.

Joan Cusack plays Ms. Krum, head of the Krum family, and once you stop hearing a cranky Jessie from Toy Story, she's a delightfully wicked antagonist. Will Sasso plays Mr. Ellingbow, who doesn't really stand out too much until he's sharing scenes with Cusack. Finally Norm MacDonald has a small but memorable role as a ship captain who gets a kick out of busting Jesper's chops.

Guys the animation in this film is gorgeous. The character designs are top-notch, the backgrounds and scenery are amazing. This film made me sad that traditional animation is no longer as big as it used to be, because this film is a testament to the beauty of the medium. It harkens back to animated films of the nineties. As a matter of fact many former Disney animators from the Renaissance era worked on Klaus. The lighting and the textures are so remarkable it takes the animation to a whole new level, like a pop-up storybook come to life. It really gives the film a magical, Christmastime feel.

If I had one criticism to make, it's the use of modern music in the soundtrack. The Heavy's "How You Like Me Now" is used in one scene, and it works fine but it shakes the tone of the film for a minute. "Invisible" by Sara Larson is used a lot throughout, and more effectively, but again modern music/pop song affects the tone of the film.

Klaus is a wonderful film that can get you in the Christmas spirit, and remind you of the wonder of classic, hand-drawn animation. It's a touching story about friendship and selflessness, with wonderful characters brought to life by superb voice-talent. I suggest you give it a chance this holiday season. It's easily one of the best Christmas films we've gotten in years. Shortly after one viewing, I'm anticipating a rewatch very soon. It might just become a new holiday tradition.

Also dare I say it, it may make my Top 10 Films of 2019-goddamnit I still have to write Top 10s for 2012 and 2018…

*Ok so a postman, tells the story of how a Santa Claus character came to be, which has said character delivering toys to a miserable town, and the powers that be in said town end up not liking it…and there's a female schoolteacher love-interest…where have I…son of a-