ParaNorman, a 2012 stop-motion animated comedy thriller, features the vocal talents of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Tempestt Bledsoe, and John Goodman. Produced by Laika, the film has a ‘Tom Burton’ feel to its unique, rather rough animation style, something that normally adds great value to films like this.
Taking place in a quiet, spooky town in New England, Norman is a recluse in his own right. Not fitting in with other kids his age, his unworldly fascination with the dead makes other children uneasy, and Norman has accepted his status as in outcast among his peers.
But all their fears are realized when the entire town falls victim to an age-old witches curse, bring back to life the dead and ghosts and zombies to boot. All the children must put their faith into Norman who is the only one who has the ability to speak with the dead, and hope that he can save what’s left of the city.
Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, ParaNorman will be making its international on the tail end of summer, August 13th 2012, right as school starts to begin again. Zombies have had their heyday but seem to making a stellar comeback, even in children’s film. ParaNorman looks to be just scary enough for those ‘grown-up” kids so they won’t say, “That’s for babies.”
Rebecca Wang Entertainment 