Rated PG for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language.
Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee (voice), Casey Affleck (voice), Tempestt Bledsoe (voice), Jeff Garlin (voice), John Goodman (voice) and Leslie Mann (voice)
Directed by Sam Fell (Flushed Away) and Chris Butler
ParaNorman is pretty cool and pretty creepy.
In the comedy thriller, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (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, 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.
This movie is visually dazzling. I especially loved the classic horror-flick opening and the Frankenstein-mob scene. The film is constantly referencing the classics in a less scary way.
The movie might draw comparisons to Tim Burton, but where Burton veers hard into the bizarre, ParaNorman is brighter and not weird. This movie really is very unique and can stand on its own.
The script is hilarious and heartfelt; from Norman’s sadness and Neil’s simplicity, to Courtney the Valley Girl and Mitch the slacker, these characters portray real human experience. We’ve all felt like Norman at times, and the film reminds us of that.
I didn’t expect to give it this high of a sore…but I’m giving it a “Theater Worthy.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
I’m sure this one will be too scary for younger kids.
Conversation Starter
- Norman is different, but he isn’t choosing to be different. He simply accepts his gifts and is confused that other people are disturbed by him.
- Do you know some kids who are “different” in your school?
- How do you treat those kids?
- It is often our differences and the particulars of who we are that allow us to ease ourselves (and others) out of the mire of doubt and sadness in which we so easily become ensnared.
Read Philippians 2:1-5
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
What does this verse tell us about how to treat people who are different from us?
- What can we do this week to be more accepting? More like Jesus?
