ParaNorman

"I'd like to be alone."
"So do I! Let's do this together!"

Norman (Smit-McPhee) isn't like other kids: he sees and talks to ghosts.  Everyday he chats with the ghosts on his way to school... but no living person understands him.  The other kids don't talk to him and his family is ashamed.  One day at school he becomes friends with Neil (Albrizzi), who thinks Norman's ability is awesome.

After school he meets creepy hobo Mr. Pendergast (John Goodman), who shares Norman's abilities.  He predicts the dead will rise, and only Norman can stop it.  The next day he is visited by Mr. Pendergast's ghost, who explains that to stop an ancient curse placed on their town, Norman must go to the witches grave and read from a special book.  But Norman is grounded, and soon the dead rise.  Can Norman stop the zombies or will the town be destroyed.


ParaNorman is the latest film to jump on the zombie bandwagon, but still manages to take a unique look at them.  The film carries a PG rating, which means there is minimal to no blood or carnage. The film manages to be about zombies, while having loftier ambitions... looking at bullying and being different. 

It is filmed using stop-motion animation, but everything is so smooth that you can't believe it.  Laika studio even filmed from multiple perspectives to give the film a more inclusive look.  The story is funnier than you'd expect.  The opening scene is great, featuring retro horror.  Norman loves horror, and his room reflects that... he has a zombie tooth brush, his alarm clock has an arm that reaches out of the ground, his collection of posters, etc.

The story was ok.  It wasn't entirely predictable, but the premise was not entirely original.  The characters, excluding Norman, are not particularly interesting.  It's an intriguing film, but I only watched it because it was nominated for an Oscar (although I don't think it will win).

ParaNorman (2012) 92 minutes
Director: Chris Butler and Sam Fell
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee as Norman Babcock
Tucker Albrizzi as Neil
Anna Kendrick as Courtney Babcock
Casey Affleck as Mitch
Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Alvin
Leslie Mann as Sandra Babcock
Jeff Garlin as Perry Babcock
Elaine Stritch as Grandma
Bernard Hill as the Judge
Jodelle Ferland as Aggie