Logan J. Fowler checks out the stop motion scary movie for kids…
In the middle of ParaNorman, I allowed myself to just watch the characters and if they blinked. You see, the movie is animated in a stop motion style, so you really begin to appreciate the little things. This thought can be attributed to the whole vehicle that is ParaNorman; in a summer chock full of big movies, little things can be appreciated, and this film definitely is a gem among all the larger than life stuff.
The movie introduces us to Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee) the titular character who is labeled a freak because he can speak to the dead. He is also dealing with a misunderstanding father, a rude sister, and a somewhat sympathetic mom. His grandma he has no problem with, only because, well, she passed away and talks to Norman, and Norman alone.
One day Norman encounters his crazy Uncle, who has the same powers that Norman does. As the story goes, there is an infamous witch the town has sort of idolized, and Norman’s uncle has come to tell him that he prevent the witch from taking over before the sun sets, otherwise terror will be brought on the town. To halt the witch from coming, Norman must read a book to her at her grave site. Can he stop the curse in time? BUM BUM BUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!!
ParaNorman is not flawless. At a run time of an hour and 36 minutes, the fact that it drags in the middle makes it feel a bit longer than it is. However, the movie is beautiful to look at, has a great voice cast, and you know what? It’s original. It has ideas based in other cinematic features but ultimately it has a core that is different and that is something I thoroughly enjoyed about it.
Not to mention that the movie is funny. It has a good amount of slapstick, to be frank, but it’s funny in an adult sense too, it has a bit of humor that will fly over kids’ heads, which should make it enjoyable for parents. It’s not a pure kid film, as the themes can be dark, whether it is just in atmosphere or emotion, and it makes it a more rounded out movie for general audiences.
ParaNorman was not a movie I expected to catch in theaters, but you know what? It’s a treat. The slow middle drags it down a bit, but the interesting characters lure you in, and the story is at its strongest during the set up and conclusion. Overall, it’s an enjoyable little movie.
Oh, and the characters do blink.
Like I said, it’s the little things.
Rating: 8/10
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