First let me say that it has been a long while since I have one: Been to the movies, and two: posted a review. With that said, lets shake the rust off our fingers and get this going. Shall we?"Paranorman" is another stop-motion animation film from the same people who brought us "Corpse Bride", and "Coraline". It's directed by Chris Butler, and Sam Fell.
ParaNorman is (at it's heart) about a small town, and it's resident misunderstood, and bullied local boy Norman. Did I mention that Norman is able to speak with ghosts? Yeah, this is why he is so 'looked down upon'.
Norman's ability, gift, or curse if you will; causes both strife at school but also at home. At home not too unlike everywhere else he is viewed as the weird little brother. The weird son. Or just plain weird overall. The only ones who understand and seem to like him are the departed people he talks to.
When the world thinks you're 'weird' and you get picked on and bullied you should be able to find shelter at home. Sadly, no one seems to really understand or care. Norman's mother tries but seems to get lost in her attempts to understand him herself.
Norman is a lonely kid. This movie almost goes exactly the way "Coraline" does with this set up. I was was worried going in that it would be "Coraline II" As you may or may not remember I just couldn't get into "Coraline" as I never developed a liking for any of the characters.
Thankfully Paranorman departs here. I invested in the sad little kid who is misunderstood, lonely, and watches way too many scary movies byhimself. Well, almost by himself. His dead Grandmother watches with him. I too was the only child, lonely, misunderstood, and watched way too many moster/horror movies.
I also became invested in Neil the heavyset kid who identifies with Norman because he too is riddiculed at school for being "Fat".
Now as to the story. I also found a departure from "Coraline". I know I shouldn't be comparing these two films, but what can I do. "Coraline" is the only film in this Genre that I didn't like. It also contrasts for me so much that it seems the right thing to do.
This story when compared to "Coraline" for me was just a better story. The characters were well developed. They had human vulnrabilities, and they came together to combat (With the very bullies that bullied them) the larger theme of revenge, and bullying.
"Paranorman" is beautiful (Stop-motion animation) like the "Corpse Bride", and "Coraline". I also thought it clever and surprisingly scary (Not for little guys in my opinion). It deals with a morbid subject matter chalked full of morbid humor and also tips it's hat to the Horror genre.
It's basically the story of a Massachusetts town (Blithe Hollow) whose witch-hunting past catches up with it on its 300th anniversary.
The world feels lush, while dark, expansive yet closed in and small. The colors are rich and when the subject matter is dark helps to keep it light and funny. The rest of plot boils down to (Without spoilers) Norman and his reluctant, dare I say, friends; taking on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
The adults are the real villians in the story. Sure the main bully Alvin is, well a bully to both Norman and Neil. However he is too stupid and easily overcome by situation he is placed in (being more afraid than the so called 'weaklings' he picks on.
The end of this film is both stunning in it's visuals, as well as it's message. It's a two wrongs don't make a right, and being different is okay message. It's also done in a way that had me, dusty if you will.
"Paranorman" was a thrill ride, a laugh inspired dark comedy, and a do the right thing and treat everyone well film. I enjoyed it very much and would recomend it with both thumbs in the affirmative.
As a weird kid who was obsessed with horror flicks and reading about horror flicks, I had much affection for this film. It's a good old-fashioned ghost story, and a nice homage that at times reminded me of Goonies, or Monster Squad, Amazing Stories, and other spooky family films buried in my memory. Much support to the LAIKA, whose studio is just down the street from where I live, apparently. I saw a spokesman from LAIKA at an International Animation Festival, and got to hold Coraline, and her father. The kid in me was super excited. I have more love for Coraline, than you, though I understand your caveats. To me, Coraline seemed much more original, and pieces of it were visually more stunning, so I have to give it a slight edge. It does have a certain coolness to it, which can be emotionally distancing. By contrast, Normans world, is more vividly felt. It seemed peculiar, at times, like the humor was a little off, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it, and was moved. The conclusion was really cool, and I liked the characters. And can we talk about the not-so-bright jock character? His last line pretty much made my day. I think he may be a first, somehow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
Yeah, I would love to talk about the jock, and get your insight. I thought it was funny, and somehow telling of the whole tough jock arcatype<spelling.
ReplyDeleteI played sports in grade school, and high school; and had fun. I also hated (at the same time) playing sports because of the culture of hazing, bullying, and outright homophobic inspired homoerotic type behavior that I really didn't identify with. It was a contrast that I found funny, werid, and sad.
Anywho, love to hear your insights and see what the ending meant to you ala Call Me Maybe style.
Yeah, I didn't like sports much after adolescence, I found a lot of what you describe, even on the tennis team, which is a pretty 'gay' sport.
ReplyDeleteI was glad for the inclusion of that line at the end, mostly, because it it feels nice to be included. Many family-oriented movies wouldn't touch it, as if being gay is somehow overtly sexual. But this film just mentioned in nonchalantly, no-big-deal, in a more mature way than many adult-oriented films deal with gay characters. Kudos for inclusion, and changing times.