Norm of the North

“Norm of the North” tells the tale of a polar bear who goes to New York City to prevent Mr. Greene, a greedy executive of a real estate development company, from building condos that could ruin his home and endanger the animals who live there. While in New York, he teams up with an incredibly smart girl named Olympia who wants to save her mother (and thus her home life) from Mr. Greene’s cruelty. Can Norm and Olympia help each other save their homes?

“Norm of the North” has a message of using your unique gifts to accomplish what is important. The Bible also teaches the importance of using our unique gifts which God has given us (Romans 12:5-6). However, what is important to God and to Norm are different things. Norm and his grandfather believe that “humans are invading [their] land,” whereas humans were instructed by God to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the Earth, and subdue it” in Genesis 1:28. Although this verse does imply being good stewards of God’s Creation by protecting it, it clearly states that humans are to be superior to animals.

Another thing to be aware of is Mr. Greene’s spirituality. Mr. Greene appears to practice a conglomeration of Eastern religions. He is seen meditating with mantras several times, encourages another character to meditate, and has various symbols and items from different Eastern religions. He also speaks of “the Universe” sending signs. Another character mentions going to a yoga class. There is mention of something being “good luck.” The presence of Eastern spirituality may cause concern in Christian viewers, but it can teach us a lesson about hypocrisy as well; although Mr. Greene does some spiritual rituals and has spiritual paraphernalia, he does not embody the ideals of any of the religions which he claims to follow, and it’s clear his real god is money. This is a good reminder to us as Christians that just because we “talk the talk” and have Christian items does not necessarily make us Christians.

Although “Norm of the North” is targeted for kids, there is some sensual dancing that includes a lot of hip shaking or “twerking.” The word “twerking” comes up twice. At the end of the movie, a character spanks himself while dancing. The dancing appears throughout the movie. Norm also makes a joke about “coming out” when he has to wear a tight and shiny outfit (although the viewers know he is interested in females). There is also a mention of mixed drinks, and a shot glass is pictured, although it seems to contain just water.

God’s name is used in vain once, “crap” is used once, and the word “morons” is used once. A tranquilizer gun is shot several times, and people and animals are tranquilized. One person is shot in the rear. There is mention of shooting a character with a real gun, although the gun is not pulled from its carrier. There is some slow-motion fist fighting, and characters punch each other. Arctic lemmings, small rodent-like creatures, are often smashe,d but always snap back just fine.

Probably one of the biggest concerns Christian parents will have with this movie is the excess of potty humor. There is a lot of mention of “poop,” and there is a scene where the lemmings pass gas noisily for about 45 seconds straight. The lemmings are seen peeing twice from the back and even from the front, shown from the waist up. They also vomit into a bag. Not only will parents not want to their children to see this, but they may tire of it themselves quickly.

Overall, “Norm of the North” seems to sit average in morality as well as in movie plot.

Violence: Mild / Profanity: Mild—“Oh G*d” (1) / Sex/Nudity: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.