Parents' Guide to Normal

Packed with near-constant, wall-to-wall violence and mayhem, this action comedy's success rests on its likably world-weary leading man, as well as its fun supporting cast and snappy pace. Directed by Ben Wheatley, who returns to Free Fire territory, Normal begins nicely with Odenkirk's scratchy-voiced narration setting up a slow-paced, small-town vibe. There are donuts and coffee, conversations about motorcycles, and a moose that likes to steal paint. The screenplay (Odenkirk co-wrote the story with screenwriter Derek Kolstad) does a bit of foreshadowing through glimpses of things like an oversized arsenal at the police station (complete with C4 explosives), a yarn shop with its own police scanner, and a secret cabinet at the hardware store. And Ulysses has a chance to tell his sad story to Moira the bartender before everything goes south, so viewers have an idea of who he is. (He can rack a gun and catch the bullet that flies out, so we know he's got some game.)

The chaos, when it begins, is mostly familiar, with an insane number of bullets flying, explosions, and lots of human matter spattered about. But there are also surprises and chain reactions that have the ability to make viewers laugh. Wheatley paces things expertly so that no moment of war or peace goes on too long, and he gets out while the getting is good, at a tight 90 minutes. Normal turns out to be a fun place to visit, even if you wouldn't want to live there.