By: Shannon Tesser | KFAN.com
Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a young boy who loves slasher movies, zombie movies and all things paranormal. Also, he communicates with the dead. He often sits in his family room watching a zombie eating brains with his grandma (Elaine Stritch) while she sits on the couch knitting and asking him non stop questions regarding the plot. When his parents come into the room they wonder who he is talking to since Grandma is dead. His father (Jeff Garin) is usually angry, while his mother (Leslie Mann) is deeply concerned by their son’s erratic behavior.
As you could guess, Norman is a bit of an outsider, often being taunted by the bullies at his school for being a “freak.” One bully, Alvin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), takes special pride in taunting Norman and loves slamming him into lockers every chance he gets. Eventually the two will be thrown together when it is time for Norman to save their town, Blithe Hollow, from a three hundred year old curse set on the town by a persecuted witch.
Guided by his crazy Uncle Penderghast (John Goodman) Norman learns the particulars in all things curses, until his Uncle’s death—although with Norman communicating with ghosts he is still able to learn from nutty Uncle Penderghast. In order to save the town Norman enlists a rag tag group consisting of a bully, a chubby kid, valley girl and a slow witted jock.
ParaNorman is a movie that can be loved by all ages, although it does have its share of inappropriate jokes (to be fair it is PG), particularity when it comes to Norman’s older sister Courtney (Anna Kendrick) and the studly, but dumb Mitch (Casey Afleck).
Not only does ParaNorman entertain and captivate the audience by paying homage to such classic horror films as Halloween, Night of the Living Dead, Friday the 13th. But it also is fantastic teaching tool in the regards to; bullying, acceptance and friendship.
Definitely see it opening weekend, and spend the extra money on 3D. Your kids (and you) will love the 3D effects, highlighted by creepy crawly critters coming out of the screen!
In theatres August 17th
Rated PG
