Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Release Date: 30 August 2012
Synopsis
In ParaNorman, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman, 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, moronic 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. Following LAIKA’s groundbreaking Academy Award-nominated animated feature Coraline, ParaNorman is only the second stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3D.
Finally found a more decent official trailer (I swear the web trailer is not doing this movie any justice).
5 reasons to love ParaNorman
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
1) Looking for something meaningful and creative?
This is it. Looking at fear cannot never be the same again. I really love how the storytellers of ParaNorman takes on the horror genre and turns it into a story of facing fear itself.
“The story is about that fear of the unknown. When the grandma says ‘It’s okay to be afraid, just don’t let it change who you are,’ I think that captures it. Everyone has moments in life when they’re scared, but if you just stay true to who you are, and you stay brave like Norman does, well, that’s how he becomes who he’s supposed to be. The hero.”
– Kodi Smit-Mcphee (Voice of Norman)
(Excerpt from http://screenrant.com/paranorman-interview-kodi-smit-mcphee/)
2) If you are thinking that it is a horror genre with a tint of comedy, you are wrong.
This is entirely comedy with a twist of humor of some horror clichés and I simply love shows (and people) that can make me laugh. Laughter is guaranteed when you watch ParaNorman, so what’s there not to love about it? :D
Neil: Don’t make me throw this hummus: It’s spicy!
3) It is suitable for all ages to watch.
Unlike Caroline, which I personally feel that it should not be open for view to children under 12-year-old, ParaNorman has lesser creepy factors and more of a meaningful story behind. For those parents who want to engage your children in the topic of school bullying, you might want to watch ParaNorman and articulate what you couldn’t through this story. Oh man, I really love how Neil’s positive and funny take about being bullied. Hahahaha. NEIL, I ADORE YOU! <3 *pinch face*
Oh, but parents who are wary of (minimum) vulgar language homophobic might want to think twice.
4) The details of the whole setting
The movie is created with much effort from pre-production like sculptures/mechanism (sorry if I am using geek terms here but their works are simply gorgeous) till post production (effects and clean-ups). Watch the video above (it is being shown before the movie officially starts in the cinemas too)! Lots of work and beautiful textures, I can actually feel the happiness of the creators when they talked about making all these real-life props. I guess it is one of the major factors that I appreciate ParaNorman. The level of details is really amazing!
The tip of the iceberg. Amount of expressions made for Replacement Animation is 40,000 to be exact. :O
5) If you love stop-motion or claymation, ParaNorman is for you!
It might not be as classic as Tim Burton’s works (which is creepy yet iconic at the same time), but I assure you the refreshing and inspiring characteristics of ParaNorman will appeal to anyone from old to young.
With Kurumi and Qianhui at ParaNorman preview screening @ The Cathay
