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Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann ... see more see more... , Jeff Garlin , John Goodman , Elaine Stritch , Bernard Hill , Alex Borstein , Tempestt Bledsoe , Hannah Noyes , Jodelle Ferland , Jack Blessing , Ranjani Brow , Michael Corbett , David Cowgill , Emily Hahn , Bridget Hoffman , Wendy Hoffman , Holly Klein , Alicia Lagano , Scott Menville , Nick Petok , Ariel Winter , Jeremy Shada , Steve Alterman , Kirk Baily , Jacob Bertrand , Liz Bolton , Ava Benavente , Cam Clarke , Lara Cody , Caitlin Rose Cutt , Susan Dudeck , Denise Faye , Eddie Frierson , Matthew Fold Holt , Rif Hutton , David Joliff , Ashley Lambert , Donna Lynn Leavy , Evan Mehta , Edie Mirman , Juan Pacheo , Kelsey Rootenberg , Joshua Michael Stern , Dave Zyler , Alicia Lagono

The new 3D stop-motion comedy thriller from animation company LAIKA, reteaming the company with Focus Features after the groundbreaking Academy Award-nominated Coraline. ParaNorman is, following Coral... read more read more...ine, the company's second stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3D. In ParaNorman, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. -- (C) Focus

Flixster Users

73% liked it

71,182 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

157 critics

PG, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Chris Butler (XII), Sam Fell

Release Date: August 17, 2012

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DVD Release Date: November 27, 2012

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Stats: 4,021 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,021)

  • itsjustme2004
    February 19, 2013
    itsjustme2004
    Fun movie!! Lots of chuckle moments...
  • c0up
    January 15, 2013
    c0up
    'ParaNorman'. Hilariously clever visual gags, a lovable central character, and beautiful stop motion. Deserves the best animated feature.

    Is it stupid to say a "kid's film" is too heavy-handed with its message? That would be my only complaint of 'ParaNorman'. A little more subtl... read moreety would not have been missed, and I do only mean a little more.

    Oh, and 'Frankenweenie' has a lot to learn from this. The way that thing fell apart made me marvel this further.
  • superclerk25
    January 4, 2013
    superclerk25
    I really enjoyed the look and feel of this flick. The world they created was spot on for this story and it all worked. Much like a friend of mine I think the first hour or so is solid and very entertaining. It starts to fall apart a little as the film wraps up though. Not that it... read more's a bad ending it's just not as solid as the beginning and middle.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    January 4, 2013
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    A powerful film both in terms of it's awe-inspiring stop-motion animation and it's unexpectedly complex themes and commentary.
  • kiriyamakazou
    January 1, 2013
    kiriyamakazou
    A fantastically entertaining and strangely powerful film. Norman is a boy who can talk to ghosts, which leads to him being ridiculed by everyone in town. But when his uncle tells him of a witch's curse, it's up to Norman to save the day. ParaNorman has a strong message behind it ... read moreand handles it in a way that isn't sappy in the slightest. It was strange seeing mature themes handled in such a delicate but emotional fashion, especially for a family film. The vocal work is fantastic with Tucker Albrizzi stealing the show with his quick and clueless onel-liners throughout. Smit-McPhee has a delicate voice that doesn't seem as though it should suit an animated tale, but it does completely. The animation is beautiful, even when bringing the dead back to life and the film does well to provide a number of action sequences that mix chills and laughs in equal measure. The only issue is that the film does have a lot going on and the ghosts are pretty much dropped for the majority of the film. A great adventure and I hope we'll see a sequel.
  • fb791220692
    December 30, 2012
    fb791220692
    It suffers from a pretty limp middle section, but ParaNorman makes up for it due to a charming voice cast, brilliant score, hilariously edgy jokes, unique animation style, and a fantastic, heartfelt third act.
  • LWOODS04
    December 29, 2012
    LWOODS04
    "PARANORMAN is an enjoyable tale for the whole family. The story is fun. There are lot of great characters too. I loved the brother's, Neil and Mitch. All the actors did great with their characters. The movie is just a lot of fun. I liked that it's different from any of t... read morehe other animations that have been out. *SPOILER* Some people had issues with a scene near the end of the movie where Mitch tells Courtney that he has a boyfriend. Really people. I think it's pretty safe to assume that it's the 21st century and kids know all about homosexuals. I think it's pretty ignorant to try and shield them from something that is in the every day world.*END OF SPOILER* Anyways, I think a lot of people will enjoy this dark, funny, imaginative movie that has brought something different to the animation world."
  • aquateen2
    October 5, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    The key issue with a lot of the mainstream animated fares released today is how they all recycle the same dull gags that we've sat through countless times before. If you throw into that mix some adult-or... read moreientated humour to try and suck up to the parents who treat their kids to the movies, the film makers think they can get away with making a formulaic flick. However ParaNorman is one of the very few exceptions. Firstly, there are many gags in the film that the whole family can enjoy, so one of it's many triumphs is how it suceeds with the basics. Secondly in very equal measure it throws in some chilling horror set pieces that I found very terrifying and rightfully alienating. All of the best animated movies appeal to all ages and the easiest way to do that is with laughs, but ParaNorman goes further and bravely attempts to scare you as well, and I think it very well succeeds. I quite proudly won't deny that I laughed and squirmed many times watching it and found the surrealist stop motion animation beautiful and the cinematography perfect. This may even scare some adults and there are very few animated films that can do that. It boasts a massively original premise and ticks every category that you'd expect from something that's a cut above your average animated film. There's a general vibe that the voice actors dedicated themselves to the characters and truly admired the story in their performances. I think they were very right to do so because it perfectly clashes two differing genres into one amazing film, which truly respects it's audience giving a fair share of material to filmgoers ranging from the young children to the horror fanboys. It's funny, and it's scary, and maybe it's just the fact I understood the in-jokes that it worked so well for me, but if you just want to be entertained you would be right going to see ParaNorman. It's sweet but sour, cute but edgy and is in the end a decently put together family film, but also a great homage to the scuzzy horror movies and slapstick comedies that it draws influences from. Highly recommended.
  • edfilmreviews
    September 30, 2012
    edfilmreviews
    The stop-motion works great and the film is surprisingly very funny (I was expecting something more along the lines of "Coraline"). There are a few references to classic horror films as well, which is pretty cool. It's a decent story, although near the end things get a bit too se... read morentimental for my taste which sort of strays from the tone of film. Otherwise, it's very entertaining and I found myself laughing quite a bit. There's some adult humor in there as well, which I always love to see in 'kids' films.
  • phubbs1
    September 23, 2012
    phubbs1
    Finally we get another 'Nightmare Before Christmas' type flick! Been waiting for this and yet amazingly it isn't Tim Burton behind the camera or script. Can't deny that's the first thought that entered my head...'this is a Tim Burton film...surely!'.

    But no this isn't, its compl... read moreetely Burton free and what's more its pretty darn good. Visuals up first of course, what can I say, they look flippin great!. A blend of clay-mation with a hint of CGI in places but in that nice old school way which hasn't been made deliberately perfect. Characters, buildings, backgrounds etc...are not created exactly symmetrical but with a slightly twisted and dare I say...Tim Burton-ish approach (can't get around saying that sorry). Kooky is a good description word here.

    The colour palette is also quite nice and offers a bold yet shaded range giving off a cozy comicbook feel. Animation wise its really slick too, smoother than other well known clay-mation films and with great depth in backdrops and vista's, loved the evil looking sky towards the end.

    The whole zombie thing is cool and for some reason made me think of 'Thriller', I guess because this film actually has some quite semi scary moments. Usual mix of hocus pocus, curses and regular 'kids film type characters' but big close ups on undead faces, screaming howling zombies, zombie limbs flying off, evil witch forces and the odd small jumpy moment make this more for the older teen viewer. Visuals will entice the kids but the content will be appreciated more by slightly older kids/teens.

    The story does turns out to be quite sweet in the end I might add, the finale is quite moving and in a way detracts from what has gone before really. Almost a total swing in mood from horror comedy to nice fairytale bookend.

    Lots of nice touches throughout, I really liked how Norman is the only person who can see ghosts around the town. Nothing original there but a nice spooky 'Beetlejuice' 'The Frighteners' flavour, wish we had seen much more of that.

    I knew I would like this as the whole concept is right up my alley and I'm sure anyone who enjoyed films like 'Nightmare Before Christmas' 'Corpse Bride' 'Monster House' etc...will enjoy this. Not overly original and characters aren't overly inspired but a fun haunted little ride with some cute lines of comedy and lovely visuals, just wish the ending wasn't so weepy.

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Critic Reviews

Cath Clarke
September 11, 2012
Cath Clarke, Time Out

Ghoulish? Yes. Funny? You bet. Full Review

Richard Roeper
August 30, 2012
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com

Paranorman has a unique look that's equal parts old school and cutting edge. Full Review

Bruce Diones
August 27, 2012
Bruce Diones, New Yorker

The film avoids the pandering of many animated features, bringing an acerbic edge and a thrilling intelligence to its story. Full Review

Amanda Mae Meyncke
August 22, 2012
Amanda Mae Meyncke, Film.com

"ParaNorman" took a huge risk on a scarier concept, and it paid off enormously. Full Review

Rafer Guzman
August 17, 2012
Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"ParaNorman" is never less than entertaining, but you'll have to follow it into a strange purgatory between two opposing genres. Full Review

Rick Groen
August 17, 2012
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

If the story lacks the consistent psychological depth of Coraline, another tale of an outcast finding solace in a parallel world, amends are made during the lovely climax. Full Review

Tom Long
August 17, 2012
Tom Long, Detroit News

Chances are most kids, and most adults, will find "Paranorman" perfectly horrible in the best possible way. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
August 17, 2012
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Employs stop-motion animation to provide hand-crafted appeal to the clever and surprisingly scary story of a Massachusetts town whose witch-hunting past catches up with it on its 300th anniversary. Full Review

Sean O'Connell
August 17, 2012
Sean O'Connell, Washington Post

A colorfully macabre stop-motion animation comedy that embraces the sociopolitical allegories of George A. Romero's zombie pictures and reworks them into a feature-length episode of "Scooby-Doo." Full Review

Colin Covert
August 16, 2012
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Humor depends on character, context and continuity, none of which is in abundant supply in "ParaNorman." Full Review

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Facts

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    • Alvin: Don't get your bra in a twist, fat boy. This has nothing to do with you, so keep out of my way.
    • Neil: Or what?
    • Alvin: Or, uh, I'll punch you in boobs.
    • Neil: I don't have boobs. These are pectorals.
    • Neil: Ow! My boobs!
    • Mr. Prenderghast: Tell me you'll do this.
    • Norman Babcock: I. I.
    • Mr. Prenderghast: Swear!
    • Norman Babcock: You mean the F word?
    • Mr. Prenderghast: I mean, promise!
    • Sandra Babcock: Y'know, sometimes people say things that seem mean, but they do it because they're afraid.
    • Norman Babcock: He's my dad. He shouldn't be afraid of me.
    • Sandra Babcock: He's not afraid OF you, he's afraid FOR you.
    • Neil: So what do we do now?
    • Norman Babcock: I... uh... I-I really don't know.
    • Courtney: Yes you do, Norman. You've got to get to that witch's grave!
    • Norman Babcock: But-
    • Courtney: But nothing, you listen to me, buster! We didn't turn away when Daleridge High was slaughtering our volleyball team, did we?
    • Norman Babcock: I thought we did.
    • Courtney: No we didn't! I've cheered the uncheerable, Norman, and I'm NOT letting you give up now!
    • Norman Babcock: Mr. Prenderghast appeared to me in the bathroom.
    • Neil: Ew.
    • Norman Babcock: No, his spirit. His says the witch's curse is real and I have to go up to the old graveyard and stop it before the sun sets tonight.
    • Neil: So... you wanna come play a bit later?
    • Norman Babcock: Didn't you hear what I just said?
    • Neil: Yeah, but I thought my idea was the less likely to get us eaten.
    • Mitch: [after Norman randomly shouted 'The dead are coming!' during the school play] Did he just say the 'dead' are coming?
    • Perry Babcock: No, no, no, no...
    • Norman Babcock: Yes! The tree told me! [everyone looks at Neil, who's dressed as a tree]
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