Mr. Ellingboe (Will Sasso) and Mrs. Krum (Joan Cusack) are the heads of their respective households, households that have been at war with one another for years. Their feud appears to be one that will never come to an end, but change is on the horizon. When a reluctant postman, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), becomes friendly with a local toymaker, Klaus (J.K. Simmons), things in Smeerensburg--home of the Ellingboes and Krums--begin to take a different shape. But, with change comes adversity, and the young Jesper is sure to face a number of issues, but through the darkness of this small town, a light will shine. That light is the legend of Santa Claus.
In many ways Klaus is a twisted version of the claymation classic Santa Claus is Coming to Town. It contorts this classic story of how Santa Claus came to be into something somewhat demented and dark. As Jesper makes his way through his new place of employment, Smeerensburg, viewers are shown a town full of disgust, darkness, and unfortunate feuds. What is apparent quite early on in the film is that Smeerensburg is legitimately scary. From the dark, ominous shades of gray, to the demented looks on the faces of the townspeople, Smeerensburg is depicted as something horrific, but tastefully terrifying. This almost immediate introduction to something so dismal allows viewers to later become believers and lovers of what the combination of Jesper and Klaus are able to accomplish.
Again, the beginning of the film is tainted with non-believers of Christmas spirit, ultimately paving the way for a story full of love and wonderment. Even with the dark undertones living with the people of Smeerensburg, there is something lighthearted and joyous about Sergio Pablos and Carlos Martinez López’s Klaus. While it differs greatly from other Christmas films, Klaus is as, if not more, inviting, than those films. It has a way of making viewers smile, even in the most difficult of times. Characters like Márgu (Neda Margrethe Labba) and Ellingboe Boy (Evan Agos) warm the hearts of everyone watching and provides them a genuine feeling of pleasure and hope.
With everything that went into the story of the film, the animation, as brilliant as it is, can be overlooked. The animation used to bring the story of Klaus to life is nothing short of beautiful. It manages to be both simplistic and detailed at the same time making it, like previously mentioned, inviting and visually appealing. The emotion present on the characters’ faces, both dull and vibrant, is descriptive, understandable and downright beautiful. What makes the animation even more incredible is that it is entirely hand drawn. The amount of time that must have gone into the development of this film is almost unfathomable, but truly brilliant.
Another story about the origin could feel a bit redundant and miss its mark, leaving viewers dissatisfied. However, Klaus manages to create a unique feeling and take an entirely different approach toward the famed tale. As Klaus twists and turns through this new perspective, viewers feel fully enveloped in a world unlike anything they have seen before in a Christmas film. The animation, deliberate and precise voice acting, and deep, meaningful message present throughout helps to create a film that viewers won’t soon forget.
Directed by Sergio Pablos & Carlos Martínez López. Written by Sergio Pablos, Jim Mahoney & Zach Lewis. Starring Jason Schwartzmann, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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