The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
94
Studio and Year: Focus Features - 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Feature running time: 93 minutes
Genre: Animation/Family/Comedy/Horror
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD MA 5.1, Spanish, French DTS 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck and Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Directed by: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Written by: Chris Butler
Music by: Jon Brion
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: November 27, 2012
"It's all fun and games until someone raises the dead."
Film Synopsis:
A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
My Take:
ParaNorman is another one of those "is it too scary for my kid??" kids flicks. Well I can say it did scare my 5 year old, but It didn't give him nightmares, and he is already asked to see it again. I have no problem with a repeat viewing as I found it witty, well paced and beautiful to look at.
ParaNorman is the tale of an outcast boy, Norman Babcock. Norman can see dead people, speak to dead people, but has a hard time relating with those pesky living people. He befriends another strange boy in Neil, who believes Norman can speak to the dead, when the rest of town just poke fun. When Norman is told of a sacred ritual that he must perform in order to protect his town of a century old curse bestowed by a witch, he goes hunting for the book in which the the text is written. Norman pushes Neil away before he goes looking, to protect him, no only find himself a bit over his head.
In a world of high quality kids flicks, amazing animation and beautiful high definition imagery, ParaNorman stood out for a few reasons. It was a bit on the spooky side for a kids flick, however it was not about the scare as much as the point it seems to be driving in. It's underlying theme is of discrimination against those and what you don't understand, and that the humans can be more cruel and scary than the zombies and ghosts. It doesn't pander to kiddie sensibilities, it treats them as worthy subjects that can handle this bit of adulthood, learn a lesson and have some ghoulish fun at the same time. I do think if you have a easily frightened or overly sensitive child it's best to wait until 7 or older. I watched this with 5 people ranging from 5 to 72, and we all loved ParaNorman. The stop-animation and visuals were eye candy, and it looked and sounded amazing on Blu-ray. I can see it becoming a Halloween time favorite!
Parental Guide:
Rated PG for scary action and images, thematic elements, some rude humor and language
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 92
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
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- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 96
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
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- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
ParaNorman comes to Blu-ray Disc from Universal Studios Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 24.4 Mbps and DTS-MA HD 5.1 sound that has an average bitrate of 3.2 Mbps
ParaNorman's video showcases the amazing stop-animation that went into this project, with every fine detailed rendered with stunning clarity. Black Levels, shadow detail and a vividly delicious color palette all add to this reference images fidelity. The audio track, not as utterly impressive, but non-the-less reference caliber shines, especially at the moments a lesser mix might fold. When things get hectic and the wind is blowing, the soundtrack is playing, the screams are screaming...well thankfully it was a breeze to keep up with it all. The rears were used with taste, dynamics to scare and when the LFE kicked in it was elegant and room shaking. ParaNorman is a gorgeous transfer from a beautiful source that is reference in both audio and video.
Bonus Features:
- Feature Commentary from Director Sam Fell and Writer/Director Chris Butler
- (HD) 7 Featurettes on the making of Paranorman
- (HD) Preliminary Animatic Sequences
- (HD) Peering Through the Veil: The Stop-Motion of Paranorman
- DVD Copy
- Digital Copies (UV and iTunes)
Final Thoughts:
Paranorman, fun for the whole family (as long as we have no feeble specimens at home), from the little ones to your dear old dead great mother in-law. All can appreciate the wit, the art and the message behind this fun and scary flick. The creators of Coraline have outdone themselves and Universal presents it all with reference caliber A/V and a bunch of special features to sink those chompers into.
Lee Weber
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS45 3D 1080p 3D High Definition Front Projector
Screen Innovations Solar HD 1.3 120" 2.40:1 CinemaScope Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5509 Pre/Pro
Sunfire Theater Grand 7201 Amplifier
Sony BDP-S790 Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Triad InRoom Gold LCR's
Triad OnWall Silver Surrounds
2 Triad Silver OmniSubs
