Every generation has Christmas movies and specials explaining how various holiday traditions started. The previous generation had Rankin-Bass. For us, it’s Netflix’s turn to tell how Santa Claus got started.
“This is Smeerensburg , the unhappiest place on Earth. You two cannot change that.” The ‘you two’ told they can’t change things are Jesper the postman and Klaus, the white-bearded toymaker who drives a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
Klaus the Netflix’s first original animated film that they’ve produced themselves. It’s directed by Sergio Pablos, the co-creator of Despicable Me. The animation style blends traditional hand drawn animation techniques with cutting edge technology. It was made in Madrid by an international crew.
Jesper has a cunning plan, which he suggests to Klaus, “So I figure, if you donate your old toys, I’ll deliver them for free.” Klaus is not 100% behind this plan, at least not at first. But this being a Christmas cartoon, we can predict all will work out happily, children will get their toys, and Santa Claus will accept his destiny.
Smeerensburg isn’t eager to become happy; they may not have a choice in the matter. If Klaus and Jesper can make the children happy, the adults are likely to follow suit.
Jason Schwartzman, who played Gideon Graves in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Cousin Ben in Moonrise Kingdom provides the voice of Jesper. J. K. Simmons, who was J. Jonah Jameson in the 2002 Spider-Man, voices Klaus. Joan Cusack, the voice of Cowgirl Jessie in the Toy Story franchise, is Mrs. Krum. Rashida Jones (Donna Who in The Grinch, Marcy Kappe in Spies in Disguise) is Alva.
The movie will be released in November (both November 8 and November 15 have been announced as release dates). Either way, it will be after Halloween and before Thanksgiving, in plenty of time to start generating Christmas good will.
Klaus may become a holiday staple, or it may flop and be forgotten by January 6. What do you think? Is this a movie you want to see this winter? We want to hear your opinions. Sound off in the comments section below.
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
