ParaNorman: A Spooktacular Animated Adventure

Norman, an eleven-year-old boy, isn’t exactly the most popular kid at school, where he’s relentlessly teased. To make matters worse, he sees ghosts, a fact that doesn’t sit well with his father, who wishes he had a more “normal” son. As if dealing with bullies and ghosts wasn’t enough, Norman is plagued by bizarre visions at the most inopportune moments. During a school play, he suddenly finds himself in a forest where the trees themselves warn him of a terrible threat looming over the town. “It’s all the witch’s curse,” explains his eccentric uncle, who, like Norman, can communicate with the dead. Norman learns that he alone can stop the evil witch who plans to rise from her grave on the 300th anniversary of her execution.

“ParaNorman” presents itself as a children’s film, but it aims for a much broader audience. Horror enthusiasts, fans of dark comedies, stop-motion animation aficionados, and those who appreciate British humor and American morality tales are all invited to this cinematic masquerade. The storytellers, who previously worked on “Coraline,” now present a tale about how easily one can become a monster.

A Classic Tale with a Horrific Twist

At the heart of “ParaNorman” lies a classic story about an outcast who learns to accept himself and is ultimately accepted by his family and friends. However, this journey of self-discovery unfolds against the backdrop of a complex horror narrative. Zombies rise from their graves, townspeople arm themselves with pitchforks, a vengeful ghost seeks retribution, and a brave young boy must find a way to reconcile everyone. The filmmakers admit that they drew inspiration not only from George A. Romero’s horror films but also from the classic movies of John Hughes. Alongside Norman, the town is saved by a diverse group of high school archetypes: the good-natured Neil, the local bully Alvin, Norman’s image-conscious sister, and Neil’s overprotective brother – a “Breakfast Club” of sorts.

Humor in the Face of Horror

The film’s humor balances between Tim Burton-esque dark comedy and adolescent awkwardness. While “dancing” with corpses might seem unappealing in live-action, and the jokes might feel simplistic, everything works perfectly in the detailed stop-motion world. The tangible, toy-like quality of the animation allows directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler to seamlessly convey the film’s humanist themes.

For example, the zombies are portrayed as almost endearing victims of circumstance, while the lynch mob transforms into a collection of true monsters. A powerful message emerges from this plastic town: whether you’re a zombie, an angry ghost, or simply the owner of the local bar, the most important thing is to remain human, regardless of the circumstances.