Movie Review - Norm of the North

Norm of the North * (out of 5) (PG) ...goes south quickly, and not just in geographic terms.

This ill-conceived ‘toon about a polar bear who speaks English hitching a ride to New York to stop a developer from building condos in his endangered habitat makes no sense to anyone of any age. One might expect global climate change to be the thematic threat, but that’s barely mentioned, presumably in a cynical attempt to avoid losing potential viewers among the ranks of those political conservatives who deny the science. That may also by why the villain - a greedy real-estate tycoon named Greene (as in money, not eco-awareness) - looks nothing like a certain presidential aspirant who comes to mind in several other respects.

Films like this usually sprinkle in some gags geared for the adults who’ve shlepped their progeny to the theater, hoping to keep them from feeling trapped in a purgatory of pre-school cuteness. I counted three such chuckles; not nearly enough for mental sustenance. I must admit to learning one fact - the existence of Arctic lemmings - who served as adorable minions for Norm’s adventure. They were helpful, but no match for the psycho penguins of the Madagascar franchise, tactically or on the charisma scale. Dull movie, and wasted opportunity on several levels. (1/15/16)