ParaNorman

Claymation animation has always intrigued me considering how tedious it must be to have to move each and every move of every character and thing in the production and shoot each minuscule movement in order to accomplish the final product-- an animated feature. Well, as in the same vein of "Coraline" '09, we have "ParaNorman".

A misunderstood and bullied young boy, Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who happens to be able to speak with the dead, including his recently passed grandma (Elaine Stritch), takes on ghosts, zombies, and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries old witch's curse handed down from a small girl, Aggie (Jodelle Ferland) who was ridiculed and subsequently sentenced to death being accused of practicing witchcraft.
Norman's friend, Neil (Tucker Albrizzi) reluctantly agrees to help his friend on this quest after Mr. Prenderghast (John Goodman), who also has the same ability as Norman, forewarns Norman of the curse that must be broken by sunset.

Others to round out the cast are Anna Kendrick as Courtney, Norman's older sister, Casey Affleck as Mitch, Neil's older brother, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Alvin, the school bully, Leslie Mann as Sandra Babcock, Norman's mom, Jeff Garlin as Perry Babcock, Norman's dad, Bernard Hill as The Judge, Tempest Bledsoe as Sheriff Hooper, and Alex Borstein as Mrs. Henscher.

This was adequately directed by Chris Butler (TV and shorts) and Sam Fell ("The Tale of Despereaux" '08, "Flushed Away" '06). It was written by Butler. I must say, Butler having only the theatrical writing and directing experience that he has tells me that as long as this film makes a profit, he will see more work come his way, deservedly so.

This is a fun film for one and all, and with the great animation and the 3D presentation, I can see this as a real summer crowd-pleaser.

Out of 4 stars: 3                     Rated: PG                      93mins.