Klaus (2019)

Klaus: Directed by Sergio Pablos, Carlos Martínez López. With Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso. A simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg’s new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions.

“This is what this film feels like: sitting around a fire and being engrossed in a story that someone remembers from long ago. Is the plot very original? Maybe not, but it is well paced and has some surprises along the way that make Klaus special.nHere, we have a sincere, funny and engaging film, that doesnu0026#39;t rely on ironic jokes to tie in the adults, or on the integration of modern technology to hold the kidsu0026#39; interest. It just tells a story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story is about a spoiled young man who is sent into the little backwater village of Smeerensburg to take over the post office. Jesper has to deliver 6000 letters by the end of a year or heu0026#39;ll be cut off by his wealthy father. After he meets the reclusive toymaker Klaus, Jesper starts to plot his way out of Smeerensburg by roping in the kids of the village. Along the way he makes some friends, changes some lives and, well, grows up.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is, in a way, Jesperu0026#39;s coming of age story, even though he is a fully grown man to begin with. But this is also Klausu0026#39; growing old story. I found this apect very touching – the old and widowed hermit finds a new purpose in his life and gets to be happy for a few years yet. You do not see that sort of plotline in animated movies very often. The subplot of the warring clans of Smeerensburg was hilarious and reminded me a little of Asterix and Obelix.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eApart from the old school, but very well executed plot, it is worthwhile to talk about Klausu0026#39; technical realization. Firstly, the animation is gorgeous. The lighting is magnificent. The look is excellent. This film looks exactly as lovingly detailed as a Christmas movie should. The handdrawn animation is very effective – it gives the film a very soft and almost canvas-like feeling, while still making good use of the smooth and fast execution that CGI affords.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eKlaus isnu0026#39;t dunked in polished, on-the-nose effects, but is, you might say, warmly covered in a carefully crafted blanket of twinkling forest lights and harsh mountain snows and accompanied by a little, gruff town of crooked and funny looking houses and crooked and funny-looking people.nIn Klaus, we do not encounter a string of slightly altered clones, that all have the same body type and facial features (looking at you Disney) but a jumbled ensemble of big and round, tall and bent, young and middle aged and old characters, who all look and act differently from each other.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe only criticism I can honestly think of is that Klaus lacks a little on female representation. Its central female characters, Ava and Márgu, felt a little sidelined to me, especially given the fact that theirs could have been the better story, if told accordingly. But given the fact that I still loved it, I canu0026#39;t really hold this against Klaus.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSo, just in time for Christmas, Klaus is a thoroughly enjoyable treat of a movie that I will probably recommend excessively over the next few weeks.”