John Woo meets the Coen brothers: Our META film review of Normal
We'll tell you what the new action-packed blockbuster starring Bob Odenkirk has in store!
A snow-covered backwater somewhere in the middle of nowhere, a sheriff who just wants to be left in peace, and a bunch of bad guys who've picked the absolute worst day to show up. In his new action film "Normal", "Meg 2" director Ben Wheatley takes us to supposedly tranquil Minnesota – and Bob Odenkirk lets his fists fly once again. But does the film have more to offer besides its prominent lead actor? We watched the movie and reveal in our KinoCheck META review whether the movie ticket is worth it. We also provide context for the press's verdict.
What's it about?
At the center of the story is Ulysses, a man who has fled his own violent past and now takes a job as a deputy sheriff in the sleepy little town of Normal. Ulysses really just wants to put his feet up and enjoy the solitude of the snow-covered landscape. But when a local bank is robbed, he stumbles upon a swamp of corruption, drug deals, and a criminal organization that has the entire town in a stranglehold.
Odenkirk delivers – the formula is familiar
Let's start with the positives: Bob Odenkirk is once again in top form. Now 63 years old, he exudes a physical presence that commands respect. He plays Sheriff Ulysses with just the right mix of weariness, uncertainty, and ruthlessness.
However, in our opinion, watching the film evokes a certain sense of déjà vu: Odenkirk's character is strongly reminiscent of Hutch Mansell from the "Nobody" films. He, too, was an unassuming everyman who could easily take on a horde of opponents.
For Tim Grierson of ScreenDaily, Odenkirk does a solid job, but the weak screenplay by writer Derek Kolstad merely pays lip service to the character's emotional backstory.
"Unfortunately, Kolstad's script doesn't provide the character with interesting layers, and Ulysses' shameful history, once it's divulged, is fairly pedestrian."
Odenkirk's performance thus managed to win over the majority of critics, albeit with some reservations.
A mix of Fargo humor and John Woo action
Tonally, the film is a wild rollercoaster: "Normal" at times feels like a crude mix of the quirky, dark-humored world of the Coen brothers – especially "Fargo" – and the uncompromising action of a John Woo film. Sparks fly, blood splatters, and people get blown through the air by bullets. This brings to mind, for example, "The Killer".
The only downside: During the close-quarters combat, the camera unfortunately goes overboard with the dynamics. While the choreography is powerful, it often feels chaotic due to the overly shaky camera work.
Where the film stumbles
Despite the great action and a lively Odenkirk, "Normal" isn't without its flaws. The actual story is, at the end of the day, pretty weak and really only serves as a framework to move from one violent climax to the next. The treatment of the rest of the cast is also regrettable: for example, "Game of Thrones" star Lena Headey seems completely superfluous. Her character appears for only a few minutes and has hardly any influence on the plot.
Additionally, the film struggles with some pacing issues. Although "Normal" has a fairly tight runtime of just under 90 minutes, it feels significantly longer at times. This is mainly because the beginning takes a long time to establish the setting and the characters. The film needs at least 45 minutes just to get going.
Conclusion: A solid action snack for in between
"Normal" is no masterpiece; the story is too thin and the opening simply too slow. But if you can look past the first, drawn-out half, the second half offers a solid action snack. All in all, Ben Wheatley's film has received mostly positive reviews from critics. "Normal" will be showing in cinemas from 17 April.
