Norm of the North: An Arctic-Sized Disappointment
A narratively and visually second-rate animated film about a talking bear fighting Arctic development.
The polar bear Norm, heir to the Arctic throne, inherited a unique talent from his grandfather: the ability to speak the human language. When American businessman Mr. Greene hatches a plan to develop the Arctic coast with tourist homes, Norm learns about it and tries to stop him. Unable to do so in the Arctic, the bear sneaks onto Greene’s company ship and arrives in New York, where he poses as an actor in a bear costume. Together with Norm, a group of small but tenacious lemmings sets out to save their homeland from development.
Originally intended for video release, the film eventually made it to theaters worldwide.
Splash Entertainment, a little-known American animation studio, specializes in creating second-rate children’s series. “Norm of the North” is a rare experiment for the company in producing a feature-length film. Judging by the result, Splash shouldn’t change its specialty just yet. First, it needs to find people who understand how such films should be structured.
The film was in production for over six years, during which it was rethought and rewritten several times.
Muddled Message and Confusing Themes
One would think that a company like this would have employees who understand children’s interests and stories. But no – “Norm of the North” not only sends a polar bear to New York but also forces him to engage in corporate intrigue, negotiations with investors, and fighting corruption. And to master marketing. Is this really a movie for preschoolers?!
“Norm” touches on themes that are too complex for its target audience and does so in such a silly and primitive way that adults won’t be captivated either. There’s no logic in the film. If building houses in the Arctic is a “profitable theme” (as Greene believes), then it can’t be stopped by throwing a wrench in the works of one businessman. Others will simply take his place. And if houses near the North Pole are not needed by anyone (as Greene’s marketing director Vera, who becomes Norm’s ally, claims), then there’s no need to fight their construction – the project will “fall apart” on its own. Who is right? It’s critical to the film’s plot, but it seems none of the filmmakers even thought about it. It’s clear that the film simply “throws” phrases and plot points without caring about their coherence.
Missed Opportunities and Familiar Tropes
Speaking of Vera, the main female character is a single mother raising a charming little girl. Now, a question for the experts: “If there’s a choice, who should be the main character of a children’s cartoon – an adult woman or an independent and smart girl?” The answer is obvious: “Of course, the girl!” Children love to follow the adventures of adult heroes, but if there’s a peer in the action, then, of course, that character should be at the forefront of the plot, not in the shadow of her mother and in domestic comfort. It’s clear to anyone that little Olympia should have befriended the cute bear and helped him in his quest. And her mother, if necessary, should have supported the heroes somewhere at the end, since she’s connected to the plot. These are the basics of constructing children’s stories, but the authors of “Norm” are unfamiliar with them. And the incompetence of the screenwriters is evident in various, sometimes very significant, plot details.
What the filmmakers do understand is borrowing from more talented creators. Norm, with his penchant for dancing and environmental quests, is clearly copied from the hero of “Happy Feet,” and the lemmings who help him are copied from the minions from the movie “Despicable Me.” But one could write an entire treatise on why the adventures of a small dancing penguin are more entertaining and dramatic than the adventures of a huge dancing bear. Just as one could write about why the minions are five times more charming and ten times funnier than the lemmings from “Norm.” The film copies the “tricks” of successful productions but uses them in such a way that they seem like only a pale imitation of the original. And if you think about why the lemmings are suddenly depicted as indestructible creatures (they are, after all, ordinary animals, not monsters from “Despicable Me,” and this isn’t the world of “Tom and Jerry,” where all animals are indestructible), then that alone can condemn the film.
Final Verdict
Yes, it’s still sometimes a funny children’s cartoon, albeit with exclusively flat jokes. Yes, its graphics and animation are simple, but still not shameful for 2016. Yes, you can show it to your offspring if you have absolutely nothing else to watch together. But the pleasure that your child will get from such a cartoon will not be worth the money you pay for the ticket. And for an adult moviegoer, “Norm” is torture. So, it’s better to wait until it’s shown for free on TV.