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I don’t typically get into animated films, but sometimes I push myself outside my preferences only to find a gem that I was missing out on. Paranorman is definitely one of those gems.

This isn’t the typical computer animation genre such as most Pixar films. It is mostly clay animation and is the second film by the company Laika, which is also the maker behind 2009’s Coraline. I found this to be very enjoyable, as it provides a much more organic feel to the action of the characters. I think that even the greatest clay animator of all Ray Harryhausen would be proud to see his legacy carried on in such greatness.

Paranorman is about a young boy named Norman, voiced by Kodi Smit-Mcfee, that has sixth sense, or the ability to see dead people. Unfortunately, for Norman everyone including his parents are disapproving of his ability and he faces daily scrutiny for his bold claims.

One day Norman is on his way to school when Normans estranged and seemingly deranged Uncle Mr. Penderghast voiced by John Goodman stops him and tells him that he must participate in a ritual to save the town from a witch that was murdered by the towns people 300 years before.

Reluctant, Norman proceeds on to school and is taunted by visions of his Uncles warning. Soon after his Uncle dies (perfect timing, I might add) and comes to Norman in the school restroom to tell him he has to go to his house and get the book he was holding when he died and read it to the witch before she wreaks havoc on the ill-fated town.

As he tries to read from the book things are going from bad to worse as his arch enemy bully Alvin voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse shows up to taunt him. They soon realize that a storm that is rolling in is actually the witch and she proceeds to resurrect the 7 people that killed her 300 years ago. Now the boys are on the run from not only a witch but 7 zombies as well.

Norman eventually figures out that the zombies are not trying to hurt anyone but trying to show him that they were wrong for doing what they did to the witch and explain to him how to stop her. Norman has some ideas of his own, however, to stop the witch’s curse on the town for good.

Overall thoughts:
I really enjoyed this movie! I thought it was beautifully done the story was well written and the characters were all fun to watch. I hope that Laika the production company behind this film will continue on this path. It is much more organic feeling than CGI or any computer animated film I have seen from recent years.

I recommend this for the whole family. I found this on Netflix and I am sure it is out at the Redbox and most video on demand services.

I give it 8 out of 10