Paranorman is an animated film that tells the story of a young boy who can see dead people. We first seen Norman in his home watching a zombie film with his Gran. Once he goes into the kitchen for his dinner, his Dad asks him what he was doing. Norman says he was watching TV with his Gran, he dad sighs then reiterates to Norman that she is dead. So obviously we learn that Norman was talking to her ghost, and it was this moment where I realised that I was watching a grown up children’s film.
Norman is presented as being outcast with no human friends and is often told by his parents and older sister to stop having these “fantasies”, but on the other hand, he has plenty of ghost friends with whom be frequently commutes with on his way to school. As the film goes on Norman makes in the shape of the chubby and dim witted but kind hearted, neil, who actually believes Norman of his abilities.
An older character with similar abilities warns Norman of impending peril should he miss the opportunity to perform a ritual to keep a dangerous ghost in slumber. Where Paranorman differentiates itself from other animated films is because it has some adult moments, it deals with some sensitive issues about death and dealing with death. Also it is revealed that a main character is revealed to be gay. As far as I know, this is a first for an animated movie.
The movie itself is exquisitely made, using stop motion techniques, its a refreshing change from the recent CGI animated films from the past couple of years. The boasts an all star cast; Casey Affleck, Tempestt Bledsoe, Jeff Garlin, John Goodman, Bernard Hill, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jodelle Ferland, Elaine Stritch, and Tucker Albrizzi.
Aside form some parts of the film where the story seems to slow down, Paranorman is a great animated film that has aspects that will appeal to people of all ages.
4/5