Not just a 'Normal' action movie: A refreshingly comedic upgrade to modern shoot-em-up flicks

With some well-placed comedy and depth, "Normal" stands out among the pack of modern action films with highly choreographed fights and explosions. This film offers something a bit different for fans of "John Wick" style action.

If you look close enough, something isn't quite normal in the town of Normal.

OK, yeah, that's a pretty cheesy way to describe "Normal" (countless critics are likely to use this obvious line), but that doesn't just convey the basic gimmick of the story. This is a refreshing upgrade to what has become normal for modern action films — highly choreographed fights that reach ludicrous heights, increasingly intense ways to off bad guys, and considerable world building.

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"Normal" comes from the mind of Derek Kolstad, the creator of "John Wick" (which ushered in this cinematic era) as well as "Nobody." Directed by Ben Wheatley, and supported by some great casting — including Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, and Lena Headey — "Normal" stands out from the modern pack of shoot-em-up flicks. This is largely thanks to some well-placed comedy amid the over-the-top action.

The sheriff of the small town of Normal has died. Stepping in as a temporary replacement is Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk). He's pretty laid back. In fact, Ulysses is his first name, which he displays on his badge using a label maker. Despite his down-to-Earth demeanor, Ulysses can't help but feel something is off with this small town in the middle of nowhere Minnesota.

"This town, Normal, has all elements of that very small town where everybody knows each other, everybody's on each other's nerves, everybody's up each other's asses," Odenkirk said in a statement. "They take each other for granted, and they love each other, and they're a little too close. It’s got that element running through it, and we get to make light of that and make the most of it.”

While other middle America main streets are dying, this town can raise millions to preserve its historic buildings. The sheriff's headquarters has an armory so well stocked, big cities would be jealous. If Ulysses looks too close, the results could be explosive.

"Normal" fits in with films like "John Wick." Punches defy physics. People keep throwing those punches even though any reasonable human being would be out of the fight. And when people are taken out, it's often eccentric. Part of the creativity of this genre is finding new ways to make people bleed, explode, and kick.

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Yet, "Normal" brings a depth that doesn't utilize highly trained assassins or underground criminal societies. Maybe some basic international gang activity, but still, everyone in the town of Normal is just that. It's difficult to determine who the bad guy, or the good guy, is through the film's so many twists and turns. But through it all, everyone is just a regular person, including the hero sheriff. It's just that these regular people have access to military grade firearms and C-4.

It's also quite funny. Action films are usually good for one-liners on par with Keanu Reeves' "Guns, lots of guns." While the comedy doesn't overtake the explosions, the humorous dialogue and quirky scenarios are as well crafted as the punches. With actors like Odenkirk and Winkler (who plays the mayor), the funny is in good hands. It's also worth pointing out Billy MacLellan and Ryan Allen who play the town's deputies and are responsible for a fair share of laughs.

Don't confuse that description with films like "Hot Fuzz." Similar idea, but quite different in execution.

Kolstad pitched the idea for "Normal" to Odenkirk while working on the film "Nobody 2," another movie that fits well into this genre of action.

“I wanted to do something different than 'Nobody,' and at the same time, adjacent to it," Kolstad said in a statement. "I'm a big fan of these kinds of movies where it’s one movie at first, and then it becomes something altogether different. With a hero that just comes into town like they tend to do, does their thing, and at the end they ride off into the sunset to do the same thing in the next town over.”

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Kolstad added that "Normal" is a "love letter" to films he admires, ranging from "Hitchcock" to 1970s paranoid thrillers, and Brian de Palma movies.

"Normal"

4/5 stars

Screen or stream? Screen. There's nothing like a chorus of "Ah!" and "Ow!" and "Don't go in there!" that you only get in a theater. And audience makes for a better experience.

Rated R