ParaNorman
Stop-motion animated zombie comedy from the makers of Coraline about a spooky, misunderstood boy called on to save his small town from the undead, a centuries-old curse and - worst of all - moronic grown-ups. "Ghoul whisperer" Norman is voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In). The voice cast also includes John Goodman, Leslie Mann, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck and Jeff Garlin.
Norman's a boy with a special ability that allows him to communicate with the dead, but neither his family nor other kids believe him, making him somewhat of an outcast in the town of Blithe Hollow. When a witch's curse raises a legion of zombies, however, Norman turns out to be the boy for the job of stopping them - thanks to the advice of a recently-deceased uncle.
- Director:
- Sam Fell ('The Tale of Despereaux', 'Flushed Away')Chris Butler (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Chris Butler
- Cast:
- Kodi Smit-McPheeAnna KendrickLeslie MannJohn GoodmanCasey AffleckChristopher Mintz-PlasseBernard HillJeff Garlin
Reviews & comments
Didn't quite do it for me...
I felt this film drifted off track in parts but really liked the witch's crackling special effects. I thought it was more effective than many non-animation films currently out. Some nice lines here and there and great work by the animators, but overall I was a little bored.
Seen Them All
Rating is based on what my children think, it didn't help that this movie was up against great movies like 'Wreck it Ralph' and 'Rise of the Guardians.' Nevertheless, they didn't hate it, it just wasn't anywhere near as good. The storyline is not attention grabbing enough for kids and of course there are too many jokes that go over the youngest ones...
Highly enjoyable for what it is.
A highly enjoyable kids film.This is a simple easy to watch kids film that looks amazing. The stop motion on the this film is incredible and something to be commanded. With the villains of the film looking truly dreadful which is great to see in a film of this type. The story is relatively simple and easy to understand. Outsider has special powers. Finds...
Variety
pressFew movies so taken with death have felt so rudely alive as ParaNorman, the latest handcrafted marvel from the stop-motion artists at Laika.
Total Film
pressGorgeous animation and inspired set design help patch over a lacklustre script.
The New York Times
pressThe story is principally a vehicle for the movie's meticulously detailed pictorial beauty, which turns each scene into an occasion for discovery and sometimes delight.
Los Angeles Times
pressIt may be the most fun you'll have with ghosts and zombies all year.
Little White Lies
pressThere's no meat on the bone of this skeleton. Witty and fast-paced, sure, but the film lacks substance.
Empire Magazine
pressIngenious and wonderfully detailed, though better in its imaginative horror than its slightly too-broad comic knockabout.
A.V. Club
pressThe results are breathtakingly chilling, but it's easy to wonder what heights ParaNorman could have reached by doing one thing that well throughout...
Variety
pressFew movies so taken with death have felt so rudely alive as ParaNorman, the latest handcrafted marvel from the stop-motion artists at Laika.
Total Film
pressGorgeous animation and inspired set design help patch over a lacklustre script.
The New York Times
pressThe story is principally a vehicle for the movie's meticulously detailed pictorial beauty, which turns each scene into an occasion for discovery and sometimes delight.
Los Angeles Times
pressIt may be the most fun you'll have with ghosts and zombies all year.
Little White Lies
pressThere's no meat on the bone of this skeleton. Witty and fast-paced, sure, but the film lacks substance.
Empire Magazine
pressIngenious and wonderfully detailed, though better in its imaginative horror than its slightly too-broad comic knockabout.
A.V. Club
pressThe results are breathtakingly chilling, but it's easy to wonder what heights ParaNorman could have reached by doing one thing that well throughout...
Didn't quite do it for me...
I felt this film drifted off track in parts but really liked the witch's crackling special effects. I thought it was more effective than many non-animation films currently out. Some nice lines here and there and great work by the animators, but overall I was a little bored.
Seen Them All
Rating is based on what my children think, it didn't help that this movie was up against great movies like 'Wreck it Ralph' and 'Rise of the Guardians.' Nevertheless, they didn't hate it, it just wasn't anywhere near as good. The storyline is not attention grabbing enough for kids and of course there are too many jokes that go over the youngest ones...
Highly enjoyable for what it is.
A highly enjoyable kids film.This is a simple easy to watch kids film that looks amazing. The stop motion on the this film is incredible and something to be commanded. With the villains of the film looking truly dreadful which is great to see in a film of this type. The story is relatively simple and easy to understand. Outsider has special powers. Finds...
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