In addition to the excellent stop-motion, I enjoyed this film because I could tell it was made by people who really enjoy horror. It had plenty of tongue-in-cheek references and tropes, but not just for the mainstream popular horror movies! Plenty of cult classics and b-movies had their tributes and nods in this film, which I sincerely appreciated. Like some of the below comments mention, this isn't the world's deepest film, but hey, it's a kids movie! I felt like it had an appropriate level of involvement for its target audience. And yes, it does have some scary moments! But if your kids can handle Coraline, they can handle this, too.
Brilliant film. Storyline was well thought out. Animation was really good. Although I think it might be too scary in places for younger viewers (age 3-6), it's a great family movie.
This was actually pretty good. Like its main character, it's very different from the norm, but it has so many great little moments that it's worth the price of admission.
ParaNorman is a fun Halloween-themed movie for the whole family by the fine folks at Laika, the current kings of stop-motion animation (now I regret not making the time to see the recent Boxtrolls). It's about a kid who sees ghosts and whose destiny is to prevent a witch's curse from causing havoc once a year in his Salem-like town. ParaNorman doesn't talk down to its audience and freely embraces its classic horror roots, providing scares even for older kids and plenty of laughs, tension, mystery and thoughtfulness for older older kids (that's you and me). And it just looks beautiful. What they can do with stop-motion these days, it's incredible, and I much prefer it to computer 3D animation. I do have a question about the voice casting. It's not something I particularly care about because big names do not necessarily translate as distinctive voices, and there are few big names here (John Goodman and Anna Kendrick are the biggest, with Elaine Stritch and Tempestt Bledsoe in there for the more nostalgic among us), but it looks like the characters were "cast" to be recognizable actors who do not resemble their namesakes. Norman's chubby friend is a dead ringer for Jonah Hill, for example, and the zombie judge is either John Lithgow or Jack Palance. Other faces and "performances" look really familiar in the same way. I wonder if Laika used them as models and/or hoped to get some of them to do the voices.
the pacing in this movie was a bit uneven and somehow i felt like the movie really didn't have any beginning or ending, stuff just happened and by the end, i somehow felt a bit dissatisfied.
but excellent visuals, incredible stop-motion, a darling story with lots of hilarious characters and moments makes this a must-watch for kids and and adults alike.
and credit goes to the makers of this movie for actually giving me more creeps than most horror movies.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 18
AFGiant
In addition to the excellent stop-motion, I enjoyed this film because I could tell it was made by people who really enjoy horror. It had plenty of tongue-in-cheek references and tropes, but not just for the mainstream popular horror movies! Plenty of cult classics and b-movies had their tributes and nods in this film, which I sincerely appreciated. Like some of the below comments mention, this isn't the world's deepest film, but hey, it's a kids movie! I felt like it had an appropriate level of involvement for its target audience. And yes, it does have some scary moments! But if your kids can handle Coraline, they can handle this, too.msdenardin
Stunning stop-motion technique with a beautiful story. Characters are amazingly charming; the visual solutions are rapturous.vivienblue_06
good movie, although I won't be comfortable watching it my younger cousin.TheOnlyRogueAngel
Brilliant film. Storyline was well thought out. Animation was really good. Although I think it might be too scary in places for younger viewers (age 3-6), it's a great family movie.CDF
This was actually pretty good. Like its main character, it's very different from the norm, but it has so many great little moments that it's worth the price of admission.Siskoid
ParaNorman is a fun Halloween-themed movie for the whole family by the fine folks at Laika, the current kings of stop-motion animation (now I regret not making the time to see the recent Boxtrolls). It's about a kid who sees ghosts and whose destiny is to prevent a witch's curse from causing havoc once a year in his Salem-like town. ParaNorman doesn't talk down to its audience and freely embraces its classic horror roots, providing scares even for older kids and plenty of laughs, tension, mystery and thoughtfulness for older older kids (that's you and me). And it just looks beautiful. What they can do with stop-motion these days, it's incredible, and I much prefer it to computer 3D animation. I do have a question about the voice casting. It's not something I particularly care about because big names do not necessarily translate as distinctive voices, and there are few big names here (John Goodman and Anna Kendrick are the biggest, with Elaine Stritch and Tempestt Bledsoe in there for the more nostalgic among us), but it looks like the characters were "cast" to be recognizable actors who do not resemble their namesakes. Norman's chubby friend is a dead ringer for Jonah Hill, for example, and the zombie judge is either John Lithgow or Jack Palance. Other faces and "performances" look really familiar in the same way. I wonder if Laika used them as models and/or hoped to get some of them to do the voices.jhhayes
"That statue just "psst" at us..." Very witty and entertaining film. Great script and voice cast.Nahus
Incredible. I loved itBoff
A very average movie, too scary for kids and not funny or entertaining enough for anyone else. 5/10cheesebook
Wonderful piece of animation, a mix of stop-motion and CGI really well done and overall a great movie.Joker of Gotham
Some funny moments, vintage of animated movies3/5
aniforprez
the pacing in this movie was a bit uneven and somehow i felt like the movie really didn't have any beginning or ending, stuff just happened and by the end, i somehow felt a bit dissatisfied.but excellent visuals, incredible stop-motion, a darling story with lots of hilarious characters and moments makes this a must-watch for kids and and adults alike.
and credit goes to the makers of this movie for actually giving me more creeps than most horror movies.
Micaela FM
I found the story and the characters quite weak, even if it is meant for kids, but the animation and the music are worth enjoying.sammysin
Another masterful stop motion film. Stunning to look at and an extremely funny one too.Some tender moments are the icing on the cake.
CaptYamato
Excuse me Virtual… but my four year loved it. As did I.Showing items 1 – 15 of 18