Norman Babcock (voice)
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Norman Babcock (voice)
ParaNorman
“It's all fun and games until someone raises the dead.”
7.0
2012
1h 33m
FamilyAnimationAdventureComedy
Director: Sam Fell
Overview
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock can speak to the dead, but no one other than his eccentric new friend believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's eccentric uncle tells him of a ritual he must perform to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch centuries ago.
Trailer
Re-Release Teaser Trailer Official
Cast
Neil Downe (voice)
Tucker Albrizzi
Neil Downe (voice)
Courtney Babcock (voice)
Anna Kendrick
Courtney Babcock (voice)
Mitch Downe (voice)
Casey Affleck
Mitch Downe (voice)
Alvin (voice)
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Alvin (voice)
Sandra Babcock (voice)
Leslie Mann
Sandra Babcock (voice)
Perry Babcock (voice)
Jeff Garlin
Perry Babcock (voice)
Grandma Babcock (voice)
Elaine Stritch
Grandma Babcock (voice)
Judge Hopkins (voice)
Bernard Hill
Judge Hopkins (voice)
Aggie Prenderghast (voice)
Jodelle Ferland
Aggie Prenderghast (voice)
Sheriff Hooper (voice)
Tempestt Bledsoe
Sheriff Hooper (voice)
Mrs. Henscher (voice)
Alex Borstein
Mrs. Henscher (voice)
Reviews
John Chard
Mom, tell the Zombie to stop saying stuff about me! The medium of animated films has really gone through the roof in the last 20 years. There was a time when Disney was the only reliable source for such colourful frolics. Now we are blessed with a whole raft of film makers creating their own animated films born out by their personal visions. One of the benefits of this "branching out" has been the rise in the animated horror comedy, right up there with the best of them in recent times is ParaNorman. Norman Babcock is considered to be the weird kid in town, you see he claims to see ghosts. Little do the residents of this New England haven know it, but they will soon need Norman to break a centuries old witches curse or they are all doomed! Picture unfolds in a delightfully quirky nature, with the makers showing great love and respect to both the genres it appertains to. As with the best animated films, ParaNorman manages to be an all encompassing family friendly production. The chilly thrills are the right side of child friendly, the animation craft superb, while the humour is smart and the Gothic atmosphere surrounding the tale is pitch perfect. It all builds nicely to a bona fide thrilling finale, where the visual spectacle sits comfortably with the emotional beats of the film. Lovely, intelligent and spooky into the bargain. 8/10
Read full reviewKamurai
Really good watch, could watch again, and can recommend. This is surprisingly dark, and underrated. While the animated characters are almost grosteque in their stylization, it serves fairly well when it comes to the undead. It also pushes the boundaries of it being a "kid's" movie or an "adult's" movie in it's content. So this is probably a movie for "older younger" audiences. Not only is this a great concept, effect execution, and story, the characters that do pop, really do. I honestly could have done without a few of them, but most of the important characters work for what they need to do. There is a much appreciated "twist" that examples some self-aware story telling that comes with the tropes typically involved with "I see dead people" stories. Its really rather refreshing without removing the idea that burning witches at the stake was an atrocity in history. The story is touching and charming and just requires an open mind, which is part of the message of the story.
Read full reviewCinemaSerf
His parents think he's a bit bonkers, but "Norman" swears that he can communicate with his deceased grandmother (especially when she wants the central heating turned up!). When his uncle tells him that his unique skills might help with a ritual that could spare their sleepy town from a curse, he agrees to help - but oops! Next thing, the place is awash with zombies and it falls to "Norman" to figure out just what originally caused the curse and to find a way - together with his popular sister and his new found, and rather unlikely, friends - to annul it before it is too late! This is a fun family adventure with some strong characterisations (including the really enthusiastic voice talent of Kodi Smit-McPhee in the title role) and some superbly detailed stop motion animation. The writing is frequently quite pithy with plenty for the grown ups to smile at, and think about, as the story progresses. Though hardly original - the story itself has everything from "Salem's Lot" (1979) to "Hocus Pocus" (1993) running through it - it's still an enjoyable watch that lends itself well to a big screen to better appreciate the colourful vivacity of the creative artistry and lively Jon Brian score. Sure, their heads are bigger than the rest of their bodes combined, but the facial expressions are what makes this and I rather liked this film.
Read full reviewClips (3)
“Acting Lessons from Mrs. Henscher”
“Alvin Does the Worm”
"Meet the Ghosts of Blithe Hollow"
Featurettes (24)
Anna Kendrick Reunited with Courtney Puppet
Finn Wolfhard’s Favorite ParaNorman Scene
“Nice Deltoids”
Anna Kendrick as Courtney
Letterboxd Visits LAIKA Studios | 20th Anniversary
How to Draw Norman from ParaNorman
ParaNorman writer-director Chris Butler and director Sam Fell | BFI Q&A
"Zombie Movie" Storyboard to Scene— ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
“The History of Blithe Hollow” Storyboard to Scene — ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
Puppet Featurette: Courtney - ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
"Teaching a Ghost Dog New Tricks" 3-Tier Clip — ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
“Breakdance Breakdown” Storyboard to Scene — ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
"An Unexpected Visit” Script to Screen - Paranorman | LAIKA Studios
Puppet Featurette: Mitch - Paranorman | LAIKA Studios
"Bub Beyond the Grave" Storyboard to Scene - ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
Puppet Featurette: Neil - ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
"Van on the Run" Storyboard to Scene - ParaNorman | LAIKA Studios
ParaNorman (2021) - Bonus Clip: Zombies (HD)
ParaNorman (2021) - Bonus Clip: Tell A Story (HD)
LAIKA | ParaNorman | Halloween Makeup Tutorial - Kika Studio
ParaNorman - Animators - 11/27 on Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD
Paranorman - Casey Affleck - Look for it on Blu-ray & DVD
ParaNorman - Voicing the Characters - 11/27 on Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD
ParaNorman - Facial Expressions - 11/27 on Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD
Behind the Scenes (12)
Behind the Scenes: Animating Courtney
Tricks Behind Animating a Hungry Neil
Behind the Scenes: Animating Neil
From Curls to Spikes: The Secrets of ParaNorman’s Puppet Hair
Animating Mitch
Rigging the Game: Behind the Scenes of ParaNorman
Weird and Wonderful: The Hand-crafted Artistry of ParaNorman
Behind the Scenes of ParaNorman: Hand-Making Characters
Behind the Scenes: Baking Faces for ParaNorman
Crafting the World of ParaNorman
The Origin of Norman: Making the Hero Puppet for ParaNorman
This Little Light: Hand-crafting a Lamp for ParaNorman
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