ParaNorman

ParaNorman, Animated/ Dark Comedy, 2012

Plot: A boy who can see and talk to ghosts is tasked with saving his town from an evil spirit.

Thoughts: After finally watching what most considered the top three films for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and I really have to say that ParaNorman deserved that over the lackluster and anti-climactic Brave and the similarly disappointing Wreck-It Ralph. Yeah, I know that the big studios and productions control who wins, etc, but it really is a let down to see a film that really captured the essence of what a movie is go without accolade.

This film truly had it all, a bit of suspense with just the right amount of humor to balance the film. It had a great cast (my favorite being Neil, voiced by Tucker Albrizzi) of which were many people who many would consider average in terms of star power. The film also presented a great message that was a little bit Pixar and a little bit Tim Burton-esque.

In a world of people telling you who to be and what to do, it is refreshing to see a film that takes a more unique approach to the subject matter (its competitors Brave and Wreck-It Ralph covered a similar topic). I felt that ParaNorman left me feeling better, like it was a finished film that took an exorbitant amount of effort and thought into the script, cinematography, performances, and editing. In my opinion, it was one of the most complete films of the year.

Kudos to Chris Butler and Sam Fell  for getting a nice blend of nostalgia and heart, similar to the 2011 film Super 8. This is a PG movie, so at times the humor gets semi-mature and there is a good dosage of violence. If you’re looking for a movie that sugar coats frequently, this isn’t your kind of movie.

4.2/5