Rent Paranorman on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Chris Butler
Directed by: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Tucker Albrizzi, Casey Affleck, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer
Plot
A misunderstood boy who can talk to ghosts takes on phantoms, zombies, and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
Verdict
A heartfelt movie with a lot of heart about an isolated kid. This is a kids' movie so it isn't all that scary, but it has references to a lot of the classic horror movies. The message strikes deeper than typical movies of the genre by authentically capturing what it's like to be isolated. This still has the kdis' movies hallmarks of adventure and comedy, but the foundation of the story develops something that kids might not fully grasp. The stop motion animation looks really great.
Watch it.
Review
The story is really touching for a kids' movie. Norman is an odd kid because he can see ghosts. No one believes him, deeming him weird for being into ghosts, zombies, and horror. He's alone, isolated, and tries to avoid people because of it. Neil wants to befriend Norman because Neil knows that isolation too.
The animation looks really great. From the overall aesthetic to the way the light illuminates the characters. Check out the behind the scenes of how the animators crafted the movie.
Since Norman can communicate with the departed, his skills are perfect for what's about to happen as he encounters zombies, ghosts, and a witch. A large part of the town's history focuses on the execution of a witch. Norman's abilities allow him to see the past and realize the girl was executed wasn't a witch. He also discovers the zombies aren't out to get him, they want his help and he's the only one who able to do that.
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| Neil and Norman. |
Norman gets to see his story and feelings play out through the alleged witch. She turns out to be a child that shares a lot in common with Norman. Norman urges her to find peace and to avoid succumbing to revenge.
For a kids' movie, this includes a great message about accepting people that are different. Different doesn't mean bad, and Norman's differences are exactly what allow him to save the town. One of the sad things about Norman's life is that even his family can't quite accept who he is. By the end his family understands better. That aspect is only part of the movie. This contains humor and nods to various classic horror movies, but it's the animation style that really sets this apart.
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