ParaNorman Review

Justin and I saw ParaNorman on August 25, 2012. I wanted to see this initially because it was made by the creators of Coraline, and I really liked that movie. I enjoyed this movie as well. It's rare for me to like these type of movies, but the idea in this movie about Norman Babcock being able to communicate with the dead intertwined with teenage stereotypes: the loner, the nerd, the popular girl, the jock, and the bully blended together nicely. It's like The Sixth Sense, Monster House, and Breakfast Club all intertwined. Norman has this ability for a reason. He is supposed to break the town's curse of an event that occurred during the Salem Witch Trials. I enjoyed the supernatural elements and his connection to Aggie, who the town had convicted of witchcraft and ordered her execution. She was only 11 years old. The judge and the jury committed an unspeakable act, and Aggie cursed the seven because of it. Now, the town is in fear because Aggie has lost her faith in humanity. This really spoke to me as I am trying to write a book with a premise of human salvation. The comedy and themes are definitely geared towards a more mature audience. There were darker themes, much like Coraline had with the other world. This one explores the link between past and present and how it is possible to mend time. Some of the voice talents included: Kodi Smit-McPhee (who played Owen in Let Me In-so the voice talents worked very well as it was a role that would work for him in live action as well), Anna Kendrick (Courtney-the popular girl/cheerleader), Casey Affleck (Mitch-the jock), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Alvin-the bully). Neil (voiced by Tucker Albrizzi) was a favorite of the audience. I felt the comedy mixed in with the darker elements combined with the incredible animation in the fashion of Coraline made this a very well done movie. I give this movie a 4/5 for the plot and the characters designed for the movie.