Is this movie as bad as you've probably heard? Yes, yes it is.

One of the voice actors; Gabriel Iglesias; once commented that he read a script for this film and fell in love it. I find myself asking: "What Script?" The character played by the talented comedian barely has more than 4 lines across the entire film; which raises the question over how close the final film was to the pitch.

Was this a film about a dancing polar bear making his way to a show on Broadway; like an arctic themed "Cat's Don't Dance" film? Was this a film about an outcast Polar Bear proving himself worthy to be the King of the Polar Bears; an arctic themed take on the "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" film? Was this a wacky-environmentalist movie aimed at kids like the "Ferngully" film that traumatized kids so many years ago? Was this a quasi-positive pro-family-means-anything film like the recent "Storks" film?

It's almost like the director decided to lift plot points and ideas from a variety of films ostensibly aimed at kids; which probably could have worked if "Norm of the North" had just settled on one concept or another. Instead the viewer is delivered an almost never-ending parade of new characters as plot points are abandoned and resurrected almost at a whim. Most movies that feature animals tend to either focus on the strengths and limitations of the animals; or exaggerate those strengths and weaknesses. E.g. the wonderful sequence from "Over the Hedge" and the caffeinated squirrel who moves faster than light. So one would think that an over-exaggerated Polar Bear would be able to hold their breath for ludicrous amounts of time underwater; over and above the massive amount of time real-life Polar Bears can stay submerged. Instead; the film plays it the other way; giving the Polar Bear a drowning sequence... which... is mind numbing.

The issues with the story are compounded by the film's ostensible villain; a character the director said he tried to pattern after Donald Trump. Patterning a movie villain after a real-person can work; but only if the real-life person is a villain. Donald Trump isn't; and result is almost utter nonsense as the director fails to realize that he's trying to make a villain by mocking somebody who is grade triple AAA Hero Material. It just doesn't work.

In short: this is a movie that is as bad as you've probably heard. It spends way too much time on biological and scatological humor; and the few creative action scenes that were likely used in the pitch to get this film made are lost in a sea of nonsense and terrible writing.

That being said; if you have a Prime Subscription and enjoy bad movies; grab some Tuaca, Vodka, or Tequila; and try to make a drinking game out of every fart joke; peeing joke; utter inane line of dialog; and new character that only gets a few lines. Don't blame me though if your live cries for mercy after 5 minutes run-time.

In my 15 plus years of being a movie critic, I have seldomly deemed any movie 5 star worthy. This movie so far surpassed any of my expectations that I wish amazon allowed me to add an additional sixth star. Throughout the centuries scientists and philosophers alike have always asked the existential question of how the world would look if humans had the capability to speak to various animals. This movie beautifully teaches the importance of caring for our earth and even more teaches us, dumb humans, what it means to have compassion for those around us. Thank you, Lionsgate, I have forever been humbled by your beautiful work.

One of the worst kids' movie I've ever seen. The animation looks cheap and unpolished. The plot and dialogue are formulaic, cliched and predictable. The "comedy" is awful, relying on crass jokes about urinating lemmings and twerking bears. It seems obvious they took a sub-par script, added C-list voice actors (except for Bill Nighy, what was he thinking?) and hired the cheapest animators they could find, and this is the result. Just all-around awful. There are so many fantastic kids' movies out there; this is not one of them.

This was such a cute movie! Norm (the polar bear) is one of the few who can talk to humans. When researchers of the Antartic come to threaten to build homes on Norm's land, Norm embarks on a mission to get them to change their minds. While Norm is on this mission, he finds his grandfather who also has the talent of talking to humans and they are also reunited after being seperated for many years. The antics that Norm goes through to make his \point are enough to make you laugh. This is a really neat movie for kids and adults alike.

This is an adorable movie about a polar bear who can speak human talk. He has quite an adventure trying to save his home from people wanting to develop the area. A good lesson for children about taking care of the land and the animals. My 6 year old granddaughter loved it and said that she liked it because there were no sad parts. Highly recommend.

A great message and an all star cast can’t save this film from mediocrity. Most of the “laughs” come from pee and fart jokes, and those that don’t, won’t entertain anyone who’s graduated middle school. Norm couldn’t keep my three-year-old’s attention and made me want to gauge my own eyes out. Spare yourself; watch Happy Feet instead.

This is a masterpiece of garbage really. Thankfully it was just rented even though I would love to get the money back for it. My kids had all the interest in it but it quickly faded within about 5 minutes. Normally I can watch animated films and like them but this one? Nope, I couldn't do it. Don't even waste your money on this, rental or otherwise.

I bought it because I saw it with my mother years ago and I liked it fun to watch