ParaNorman (2012)
 |
ParaNorman (2012)
In Theaters : August 17, 2012ht
MPAA Rating : PG (for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language)
Genres : Animated, Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Action/Adventure
Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Writer: Chris Butler
Run Time : 1 hour 33 minutes
Distributors : Focus Features
Production Status : In Production / Awaiting Release
Filming Locations : Portland, Oregon, USA
Produced In : United States.
Storyline :
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual must he take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don't go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can.User Reviews
User Reviews:
What directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler have created here is basically the best Tim Burton film in over a decade. "ParaNorman" tells the animated tale of (you guessed it) Norman, who is every bit the archetype of a weird/misfit/Haley Joel Osment child (scrawny and susceptible to wedgies) who everyone (including his own father and sister) thinks is a "mental case" for some reason…and I guess it doesn't help his case that Norman seems to have the ability to communicate with ghosts. One afternoon, after a day of being bullied, his estranged (and very insane) uncle informs Norman that since he is very sick, it is now Norman's duty to conduct an age old ritual at an old town gravesite every year (from that point forward) in order to save the town from a century's old curse. Norman, as with any child facing a chore given by an elder, ignores his uncle's ramblings, but when he begins to have strange visions (yes, stranger than seeing dead people) he find himself in a real life horror movie, where he must find out the truth about the town's dark secret, before it's too late. Oh, but don't worry, this cartoon is not as scary as I just made it sound, because Norman is given a fat friend named Neil who accompanies him on this quest of sorts. And we all know having a fat friend (sidekick) is the recipe for hilarity, even in the horror genre.
Side Note: Aside from the overall cartoonish/but still horror based atmosphere that moves throughout this film like a fog, "ParaNorman" also contains thematic elements which may not be appropriate for any child under the age of eight. Examples of these thematic elements would be: A child coming to grips with death and letting go and some very witty, but fairly dark-comedy dialogue sprinkled throughout. So, if you don't want little Timmy or Suzie (assuming they are under the age I have stipulated) asking you if dead grandma's ghost is going to come back and haunt your house, then you might not want to take them to see this movie.
Even with a seemingly interesting storyline, still some audiences may be compelled to complain that the characters within it are as generic as the underwhelming animation. Example: Norman is shy and lacking courage and Neil has a knack for helping shy friends, who lack courage find their inner courage. With that said, due to a very cleverly written script (containing some very funny dialogue) from Butler, the generic characters are given an individual jolt of personality; and hence the entire movie is saved from becoming just another forgettable animated film such as (dare I say it?) "Coraline". Yes, I realize a lot of people loved "Coraline" and it was nominated for an Oscar, but what these same people fail to realize is that "Coraline" is average at best.
Final Thought: " ParaNorman" was made for the multitude of people who loved watching horror films in their youth. This film is the perfect mixture of spooky and funny, with just the right touch of sentimentality throughout. But overall, the highest praise I could give "ParaNorman" is that it truly is the most entertaining animated film I've seen all year. And while amongst your "Ice Age 4: Continental Drift" and "Madagascar 3" this may not mean all that much, "ParaNorman" is definitely a film worth checking out for viewers of any age above eight; even if you are one of those close-minded few who won't see anything that is not a Pixar creation or that doesn't have a talking zebra/dinosaur/panda/barn yard animal in it.
No comments:
Post a Comment