Klaus

A funny, heartfelt and unique blend of hand drawn & modern animation, KLAUS is a beautiful Christmas origin story for the whole family.

Combining CGI lighting techniques with hand-drawn animation, Writer/Director Sergio Pablos creates a stunning looking film that visually pops. It took me back to the look of the Disney/Don Bluth cartoons of the 80's and early 90's.

The voice cast is excellent and full of surprises.

Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is a spoiled college kid who's grown up with everything he's ever wanted handed to him. His Dad, the Postmaster General, has given him every chance to prove himself, but Jasper's efforts have been a chilly zero.

He banishes his son to the most remote, icy post office in Europe, high up in Smeerensburg, telling him if he doesn't establish the location with 6000 letters the first year, he'll be cut out of the family fortune.

To say Smeerensburg is remote doesn't do it justice. It's not called "the unhappiest place on Earth" by accident.

Even worse, it's run by two warring factions Hatfield & McCoy style, who haven't spoke in years, have forgotten generations ago what they are fighting for, but are still 100% hilariously committed to the battle.

Will Sasso is laugh out loud funny as the none-too-bright head of the Ellingboe clan.

Jesper's guide to his new home is the local boatman that brings him there, Mogens, voiced by Norm McDonald in his last film role. McDonald is perfect in the part, which has obviously been written for his dry, sardonic delivery.

How will Jesper establish the post office?

Will any of the townspeople ever welcome him?

Even the local school teacher Alva (Rashida Jones) has no students, the kids are all to busy fighting with their rival clan kids.

When Jesper meets local toymaker Klaus (JK Simmons), a bond slowly builds and the two begin a partnership that will transform the town and the world.

Pablos fills the story with great one liners and physical comedy that will make 3 year olds laugh as hard as their grandparents.

He also cleverly reveals an alternate take on how many of our most treasure Christmas traditons got started.

Klaus and Jesper become a formidable comic duo as they face every obstacle imaginable in changing the centuries-entrenched minds of the local population.

At it's heart, the film centers on how one act of kindness becomes many and the power of the Christmas spirit of giving.

It's a deft blend of family fun, big action sequences, broad comedy and just the right amount of Christmas heart that will put a lump in your throat.

KLAUS is a new holiday favorite that we are adding to our "have to watch that every December!" list. It gets an A.

Merry Christmas all!