review by Mr. DuLac Pro
ParaNorman 2012
Watched Aug 19, 2012
Mr. DuLac’s review:
Don't make me throw this hummus: It's spicy!
-Neil
A fantastic film that I can't help but think was made by horror movie fans that have kids. The film is filled with so many homages to classic horror movies that I'm certain I probably missed half of them because they are mostly very subtle.
The dialogue is truly funny from beginning to end. It's not just the funniest family film I've seen this year, but it's one of the funniest films overall I've seen. Some parents should be warned though that the film might push how far a PG film can go with the dialogue and themes in it. Our 9 year old was fine with the film, but I did hear some parents that had slight problems with it.
There's plenty of humor for adults to enjoy while most of it goes over the kids' heads. There's some of it that kids will think is a little dirty, but is actually very harmless. The trick is though because the kids think it's a bit dirty it ends up being hilarious to them. Like when Alvin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) threatens to punch Neil (Tucker Albrizzi) in the boob and Neil insists he doesn't have boobs but pectorals. Needless to say the kids in the audience burst out laughing at that. Now remember most Disney movies are rated G and this is clearly PG.
Sadly some people who aren't exactly open minded seemed particularly offended with a line said by the character of Mitch (Casey Affleck) at the very end of the film. Our family thought the joke was funny. It's actually something you hear in every day life everywhere in the country, in malls, on tv... EVERYWHERE. I thought the mention of an Adult Video Store was much more questionable then the line Mitch said, but this is entering people's beliefs and whatnot so I'll leave it alone.
Personally I saw nothing wrong with anything that's actually mentioned in the film, but it is PG for a reason. There might have been a point or two that got a little intense, but all the kids in the theater including ours powered through it. When asked after she said "No way, I wasn't scared one bit!". I think that might be a little white lie.
I'm glad you liked this!
The audience I saw this with laughed at Mitch's line; I thought it added a nice, little subversive touch to the film.
I thought so too! I thought it was funny and thought nothing of it... then overheard someone while leaving commenting on how that line was totally unnecessary and didn't belong in the film because all it did was sour the experience. (I'm paraphrasing with nicer language). Needless to say I was a little shocked.
Obviously that individual didn't get the film's message of acceptance. Oh well. I look forward to seeing it again!
I am very eager to see this film, I have been hearing good things (including this nice review).
@Travis Lytle: I think people like that fail to get any message that contradicts their outdated beliefs.
@Sean D.: I can't imagine anyone not liking this film. If I see a better animated film this year I'll be shocked.
Really liked this one as well. I agree with your comments about taking young children. My six year old spent most of the film with his hands over eyes, but said he still 'enjoyed' it.
I don't know how everyone else feels, but I think this stop-motion animated film beat the pants off of this year's PIXAR film. Now that is something I never thought I would say. I think they have an honest chance to win the Oscar for best animated film this year (so far anyways).
"Brave" was fine, but it wasn't as special as this film (and I mean special in the least condescending, most adult way possible.) I'm still looking forward to "Wreck-it Ralph," but I doubt it will top "ParaNorman."
Yeah I don't really see any animated film on the slate that will beat this for 2012. If it ends up not even getting nominated I'll be pissed lol.
This is the best animated film this year, by a mile. Thought it was brilliant! The kids liked it, I loved it!
I agree. Followed by Frankenweenie as my pick for second best... all the computer animated films so far this year haven't come close to either one of these stop-motion animated movies. I'm hoping their both get Best Animated Feature nominations this year, because quite frankly their the only two films that deserve it so far (of what I've seen).
Haven't seen Frankenweenie yet, opens next week here. But heard lots of great things about it.
I hope they do get oscar noms - for once the Pixar feature just wasn't good enough!
Finally watched this!! I regret not seeing it in theaters now.