Author Topic: ParaNorman  (Read 3097 times)

Offline Danae Cassandra

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ParaNorman
« on: June 03, 2013, 01:44:49 PM »


ParaNorman
Year of Release:  2012
Starring:  Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck
Directed By:  Sam Fell, Chris Butler
Genre:  Adventure, Comedy, Horror

Overview:
From the makers of Coraline comes the story of Norman, a boy who must use his ability to see and speak with the dead to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

In addition to spooky zombies, he'll also have to take on mysterious ghosts, wily witches and, worst of all, clueless grown-ups. But this young ghoul whisperer will soon find his paranormal abilities pushed to their otherworldly limits. Featuring the voice talents of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin and John Goodman, it's a frightfully funny and magically thrilling adventure for the whole family in eye-popping stop-motion.

My Thoughts:
This was a fun film to watch over at our friend Katrina's house.  I must say one of the things Hollywood is doing right these days is animated films.  There have really been a lot of great ones in recent years.  ParaNorman is no exception.  It as very well-done on every level:  good animation, clever dialogue, plenty of humor  and scares, a genuinely creepy atmosphere, a couple of twists in the plot that you don't see coming, and great underlying message.

Lots and lots of fun - recommended for everyone except very small children.  Might be a bit dark for them.  Safe for a movie night for a group where people have drastically different tastes in films.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  3.75/5
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield

Offline GSyren

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Re: ParaNorman
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2013, 10:31:58 PM »
I hope you noticed that it's stop motion animation, not CGI.
Most fluid stop motion that I have seen in a long time. Well, since Coraline, I guess...

Offline Danae Cassandra

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Re: ParaNorman
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2013, 11:59:09 PM »
I did indeed.  There have been a number of good stop motion films recently: Coraline, 9, Paranorman, Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Don't think I said anything about CGI in the review - though there have been a lot of good CGI films too.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield

Offline GSyren

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Re: ParaNorman
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2013, 07:27:57 AM »
Don't think I said anything about CGI in the review
Didn't mean to imply that you did, Danae. Just wanted to make sure you, and others, were aware that it was indeed stop motion. In most films, even the best, stop motion is usually quite easy to recognize. Not so in ParaNorman.

Offline DSig

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Re: ParaNorman
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2013, 05:52:59 PM »
And speaking of Stop Motion I just got the "Ray Harryhausen Gift Set".  Loving it as you can expect.  Just watched "20 Million Miles to Earth" and popping in "Earth VS. the Flying Saucers"
Thank you
David

Offline Danae Cassandra

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Re: ParaNorman
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2013, 01:30:03 AM »
Don't think I said anything about CGI in the review
Didn't mean to imply that you did, Danae. Just wanted to make sure you, and others, were aware that it was indeed stop motion. In most films, even the best, stop motion is usually quite easy to recognize. Not so in ParaNorman.
It was incredibly fluid and well-done.  I can see how it would be easy to mistake for CGI.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
-- Thorin Oakenshield