Movie Review: Klaus

 Movie Review: Klaus                                                                                              12-8-20

All mailman Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman) wants is to be respected, but after failing postman training academy, his father sends him to the violent and gloomy town of Smeerensburg. If Jesper delivers 6,000 letters, he can return home. With the help of a woodcarver named Klaus (JK Simmons), they decide to bring joy to the children of Smeerensburg by delivering toys. However, the townsfolk of Smeerensburg believe Jesper and Klaus are brainwashing the kids and local schoolteacher, so they hatch up a plan to get rid of him.

As I said in my Top 10 Best Animated Movies of the 2010s countdown back in July, Klaus is an outstanding holiday movie, even if it wasn’t released in theaters, with groundbreaking animation, a heartfelt story, and likable albeit familiar characters. Jesper, for example, is quite similar to Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove. At least he doesn’t spend most of the movie as an ungulate.

Jesper on his first day in Smeerensberg.

As most of you could tell by this point, Klaus is a Santa origin story, like Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town nearly 50 years earlier. However, unlike ‘Santa Claus’, Klaus doesn’t rely on magical or fantasy elements, but it does have a similar message about kindness and selflessness.

Birds resting in houses that Klaus built.

If I were to complain about one thing, I feel that some of the background music feels too poppy for a 19th Century tale.

In conclusion, while it didn’t win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Klaus is a perfect holiday film the entire family can enjoy.

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5.