Klaus: A Fresh Take on Santa

There have been many stories about Santa Claus, including a version where he meets Pac-Man. But Klaus, which is a Netflix original,  surprises the audience into realizing they are watching a movie about Santa Claus. Klaus stars Jason Schwartzman, J.k. Simmons, and Norm MacDonald. Writer and Director Sergio Pablos has written movies like Despicable Me and Smallfoot. He has crafted a unique story about learning kindness. The animation is great because it looks like two dimensional drawing  instead of three dimensional computer effects. The character designs are unlike what we've seen before.

Jason Schwartzman plays Jesper, a spoiled son of a rich man, who has been in the postal guard for months and refuses to do any work. His attitude is very reminiscent of David Spade in The Emperor's New Groove. He is sarcastic and always cracking jokes. Jesper is in the postal academy and he is lazy and his father wants to see his progress. Jesper says he tried and should go home to a life of luxury. But in a surprising move the father promotes him to postal worker and says he must establish a post office in a remote island in a year or he is cut off from the family. Instead of having Jesper come home and still be spoiled he makes him go out on his own and make something of himself.

J.K. Simmons plays Klaus, a toy maker who lives alone. He helps Jesper deliver mail and helps come up with a way for people to need mail. Children write letters to him so Jesper can deliver them and the kids get toys in return. They start doing it for kindness instead of just for self service. Throughout the movie more aspects of Santa keep showing up until everything about Santa is established from the classic story.

Norm MacDonald plays a ferryman who needs to get Jesper to the island and he is hilarious. He is sarcastic and wisecracking to Jesper when Jesper makes assumptions of where he will live and what services will be available to him which aren’t very much. Anytime Jesper makes a crack at the ferryman, he has a comeback waiting. Norm MacDonald has great comedic timing and a voice for sarcasm.

Klaus is a heartwarming tale and has great animation and a great message. It’s worth watching. 🍔🍔🍔