Review: Brilliant Animated Movie 'ParaNorman' Is One Of The Summer's Biggest (And Best) Surprises

Reviews

by Drew Taylor
August 4, 2012 10:44 AM
15 Comments

This summer has been full of big, glitzy animated movies from most of the major studios that have made tons of money but left audiences cold. None of them were particularly imaginative, entertaining or emotionally involving, instead choosing to coast on a steady stream of solid (if not exactly dazzling) images and a host of comfortingly familiar celebrity voices. And yet, at the tail end of the summer, along comes a movie proudly told in an old school animation style, from a tiny animation house and distributed by a studio known mostly for distributing arty fare like "Brokeback Mountain," that blows away all the slick studio confections both in terms of sheer visual wonder and (more surprisingly) emotional heft. Laika's stop-motion wonder "ParaNorman" isn't just the best animated movie of the summer, it's one of the best movies of the year. Period.

The movie begins in a kind of faux grindhouse style, with a credits sequence that gleefully apes schlocky fare from the late '70s and early '80s (complete with strained synth sounds). It's very clear that we're watching a movie-within-a-movie, but it smartly provides a quick shorthand to what we're about to see – it's knowing without ever being winky, reverential without ever falling into tired pastiche. Shortly it's revealed that the movie is some scratchy VHS zombie flick being viewed by our hero, Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a funny little kid who has the ability to talk to ghosts (mostly his grandmother, voiced by Elaine Stritch) but not to actual people (like his parents, played by Leslie Mann and Jeff Garlin).

Norman is an outcast at school because the kids know that he supposedly talks to spirits, but finds a friend in Neil (Tucker Albrizzi), a chubby kid with similar social standing. During practice for a school play, one meant to celebrate the historic founding of the town of Blithe Hollow, Massachusetts, Norman is struck with a vision of the town forefathers about to put a witch on trial. The witch's trial and the curse the witch supposedly put on the forefathers have become part of the town lore (there's even a statue of the witch in the center of town). It's something that's joked about around Halloween (and put on as a school play), but what Norman sees shows him that there is a very real threat – the ghost of the witch will return, and unleash untold horrors upon the town.

While Norman loves horror movies and frequently communicates with the deceased, this is something that's beyond his pay grade, and when a nutty relative blessed (or is it cursed?) with similar extra-sensory powers (played with brio by John Goodman) comes to him with a similar warning, he becomes genuinely freaked. What if the witch does return? Will she unleash an army of the dead? And will Norman be up to the challenge and manage to avoid getting beaten up by the school bully (Christopher Mintz-Plasse)?

"ParaNorman" takes its time building atmosphere and a palpable sense of dread – the movie is gorgeous to look at, but never distractingly so. There's a great moment early in the film where Norman walks to school, greeting all the ghosts he sees on the way (including ghosts from other eras – like a '30s gangster wearing cement shoes). It's a scene that is so gorgeous and clever that it literally makes your jaw drop (the movie was shot by certifiable genius Tristan Oliver, who was also DoP on "Fantastic Mr. Fox"). But you also feel for Norman too – even though he's suffering from a very specific (and phantasmagoric) condition, you can easily identify with him. He's the kid who watches horror movies all the time and keeps to himself. Maybe you've known somebody like Norman. Or maybe you're just like him.

By the time the really freaky stuff starts to happen, involving the zombified versions of the town elders and a very upset and very witchy ghost, you're fully invested in this world. As the horror escalates, more characters join the fray, including Neil's older brother Mitch (Casey Affleck) and Norman's sister Courtney (Anna Kendrick), giving the movie a rollicking "Goonies"/"Monster Squad" feel, and while things get crazier and more otherworldly, the emotional content deepens, too. We can't talk about it without giving away some key things, but it's really surprising how emotionally resonant the movie becomes, and deeply satisfying too. (There's also an amazing joke towards the end that will certainly negate any chance of "ParaNorman" kids toys being stuck in kiddie meals at Chick-fil-A.)

"ParaNorman" was directed by Aardman veteran Sam Fell and storyboard artist Chris Butler (Butler also wrote the screenplay), and it's a remarkably assured and confident film. The movie could have been a mess, tonally, but the filmmakers maintain a steady and sustained (but never dull) mood. It's been described as "John Carpenter meets John Hughes," which we would definitely go with, especially given composer Jon Brion's generous use of vintage synths in the soundtrack and the movie's unblinking eye towards the sometimes abominably cruel world of adolescence. The movie is jokey but never at the expense of the characters and situations, and when it tips towards the very scary, especially towards the end, the results are genuinely frightening.

Even the 3D utilized for "ParaNorman" seems like a cut above. The technology has always served stop-motion animation well, emphasizing the tactile nature of the animation through truly spectacular dimensionality. That's also the case with "ParaNorman" – "Fantastic Mr. Fox" vet Nelson Lowry's eye-popping production design and Oliver's cinematography seem that much more impressive through the wondrous 3D effects, a perfect blending of ancient animation techniques with cutting-edge technology. In most cases 3D seems worse than superfluous; it's downright detrimental. With "ParaNorman," 3D glasses should be a requirement; the effect is essential.

It's the combination of the film's visual prowess and the genuine emotional content that makes "ParaNorman" such a singularly powerful experience. It would be one thing to just watch the movie, alight at all that you're seeing. But there's something deep and truthful that elevates it to another plateau. You'll wipe away tears while you're screaming for more. It's not only the best and brightest surprise of this long and dreary summer, but it's easily one of the best movies of the year, a complex and multifaceted blast. "ParaNorman" is a micro-sized masterpiece that wears its heart (and its half-eaten brains) on its sleeve. [A]

Reviews

More: Review, ParaNorman, Laika Animated Studios, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, John Goodman, Review

15 Comments

| Reply
ac satya shah | January 19, 2013 1:07 AMReply

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Venkman | September 24, 2012 5:40 PMReply

Just saw this last night and I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The whole thing is visual eye candy and I constantly found myself amazed at the level of detail and the numerous sight gags throughout. I live in the mid-west and I have to say that the gag at the end had me laughing out loud so hard I almost blew coke out my nose, but the rest of the audience in this conservative area seemed less entertained. I could almost hear the wheels spinning... "Should I say something to reinforce our superstitious, ancient, and dearly held beliefs to my kid to negate those 2 seconds of horrible, modern societal influence or is it best left alone?" Personally, I thought it was awesome... Definitely one I'll pick up on blu-ray when it comes out.
Blogger | September 18, 2012 2:54 PMReply

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Sveta Piatakova | August 27, 2012 8:21 AMReply

Great review! It was a fun movie with a twist on the whole zombie thing but I do think it is for a certain audience. I would not recommend it for kids who are easily scared. My girl is 5 now and she is in that 'scary' phase. She had no problem watching 'Coraline' when she was 3 but now it totally freaks her out and she even asked me turn it off (a first one for her). It's a shame cuz the movie is a good metaphor for bullying. And I don't think it's extreme to compare it to witch hunts; bullying is very dangerous, and the effects of it are only studied now, so we are only about to find out exactly HOW dangerous it is.
Chris Jollay | August 16, 2012 11:09 PMReply

I thought the end joke was funny, but I also thought is was weirdly out of place in what was supposed to be kind of a children's movie. I also thought the bullying analogy to the Salem Witch Trials was a little much considering that as well.

Above average but by no means one of the best movies of the year.
Mayson | April 28, 2013 11:19 PM

Piece of shit you are!
This movie was one of few perfect movies for todays times, it poked fun at the stupidity of religion, had a gay character (god forbid you evil hateful piece of shit), and had a great mesage about feeling alone/bullying, etc. The stop motion animation is the best yet, better than anything Burton ever did AND it came from a small studio. First to use 3D printer for coloring too. So fuck off you worthless talentless pig.
martin | August 14, 2012 9:37 PMReply

Are they giving paranorman in chicken fil A in Mcallen tx
Kevin | August 7, 2012 1:17 PMReply

Counterpoint: This movie is tedious as hell.
Sveta Piatakova | August 7, 2012 12:59 PMReply

Great review - something positive in the critical circles finally. Is it OK for a five-year-old? I am having huge doubts cuz my daughter was somewhat disturbed by the trailer... And she was watching 'Coraline' the other day and asked me to turn it off, even though she loved it at 3 and 4... I guess, she is more aware now. Personally, I cannot wait to see the new flick!
Lucy | August 5, 2012 7:20 PMReply

Great to hear because I loved Coraline, one of my favorite films and I now can't wait to see this!!!
Jeff | August 4, 2012 9:07 PMReply

Sounds great! It's worth pointing out though that while Tristan Oliver may be a "genius," he also has a history of being incredibly unprofessional.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/oct/11/entertainment/ca-mrfox11
Tristan Oliver | August 17, 2012 4:09 PM

I am, I can assure you, a perfectly lovely fellow. Hope you enjoy the movie. It looks fabulous though I say so myself :)
Jeff | August 4, 2012 9:55 PM

I shouldn't have said that. I don't know Tristan Oliver at all. He may be a perfectly lovely fellow. I was very taken aback by a cinematographer calling out his director in the press. I must admit he's been the dp on some of the best stop motion films.
Taylor | August 4, 2012 4:42 PMReply

Nice. With the glut of remakes/reboots and sequels this summer, and sitting through the ones that brought absolutely nothing to the table and were nothing but soulless studio garbage (how I loathe you, Amazing Spider-Man) - and being a big animation buff - this was the movie I was most looking forward to. Glad to hear good things.
oogle monster | August 4, 2012 3:57 PMReply

All the awards!!!