ParaNorman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ParaNorman |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by |
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| Written by | Chris Butler |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jon Brion |
| Cinematography | Tristan Oliver |
| Editing by | Christopher Murrie |
| Studio | Laika |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
| Release date(s) | August 3, 2012 (Mexico) August 17, 2012 (United States) |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Money made | $107.1 million |
ParaNorman is a 2012 American stop-motion animated movie. It mixes dark fantasy, comedy, and a bit of spooky fun. The film was directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler.
It was made by Laika, a studio famous for its stop-motion films. The movie features the voices of many talented actors. These include Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, and John Goodman.
ParaNorman was special because it was the first stop-motion film to use a 3D color printer. This helped create the characters' faces. It was also one of the first stop-motion movies filmed in 3D.
The story is about Norman, a young boy who can talk to ghosts. He lives in a town in Massachusetts. Norman has to stop a 300-year-old witch's curse that threatens his town.
The movie came out on August 17, 2012. Critics liked its animation and humor. It earned over $107 million worldwide, which was more than its $60 million budget. ParaNorman was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Contents
The Story of Norman
In the small town of Blithe Hollow, Massachusetts, lives 11-year-old Norman Babcock. Norman has a special gift: he can talk to dead people. This includes his grandma and other ghosts around town.
Most people don't believe Norman. His family often doesn't understand him, and other kids at school make fun of him. His best friend is Neil Downe, who also gets picked on. Norman and Neil become good friends because they both feel like outsiders.
A Strange Task for Norman
One day, after a school play about a witch from long ago, Norman meets his strange uncle, Mr. Prenderghast. His uncle tells him that Norman must soon take on a special job to protect the town. Soon after, Mr. Prenderghast passes away.
During the school play, Norman has a scary vision. He sees the town's past, where people were hunting a witch. This vision embarrasses him and leads to an argument with his dad, Perry. His mom, Sandra, explains that his dad is just worried about him.
The next day, Norman sees Mr. Prenderghast's ghost. His uncle tells him that he must perform a ritual with a special book before sunset. After Norman promises, his uncle's ghost finds peace and disappears. Norman is scared, but his grandma tells him it's okay to be scared as long as he doesn't let it stop him.
Norman goes to his uncle's house to get the book. He finds it and heads to the graves of the people who were cursed by the witch. But the book isn't a spellbook; it's just a book of fairy tales.
Zombies and a Witch's Curse
Alvin, a school bully, stops Norman from reading the book before sunset. Norman tries to read it anyway, but nothing happens. Suddenly, a ghostly storm appears. It looks like the witch and brings the cursed dead back to life as zombies!
The zombies chase Norman, Neil, Norman's older sister Courtney, and Neil's brother Mitch. They run into town. Norman realizes the witch wasn't buried in the graveyard. He calls his classmate Salma, who tells them to check the Town Hall archives for the witch's unmarked grave.
As the kids head to Town Hall, the townspeople start fighting the zombies. Inside the archives, Norman and his friends can't find the information they need. The witch's storm grows stronger over the town. Norman climbs the Town Hall tower to read the book one last time. But the witch strikes the book with lightning, throwing Norman into the archives.
Understanding the Witch
Norman wakes up and has a dream. In his dream, he learns that the witch was a little girl named Agatha "Aggie" Prenderghast. She was Norman's age and also had the power to talk to the dead. Norman realizes that Aggie was wrongly accused of witchcraft by the town council.
When Norman wakes up, he sees the zombies. He realizes they are the town council members who wrongly judged Aggie. The zombies, led by Judge Hopkins, tell Norman they just wanted him to finish the ritual. They wanted to fix their old mistake.
Norman tries to help the zombies sneak away so they can show him Aggie's grave. But the townspeople corner them. Courtney, Mitch, Neil, and Alvin stand up for Norman. They tell the crowd that their anger and fear make them just like the people who cursed the town long ago. The crowd understands, but the witch unleashes her powers, causing more chaos.
Finding Peace
Judge Hopkins guides Norman's family to Aggie's grave in a forest. Aggie's magic separates Norman from the others. Norman finds the grave and talks to Aggie's angry spirit. He wants to stop her powerful tantrum.
Aggie tries to push him away, but Norman stays strong. He tells her he understands how she feels, being an outsider. He explains that her anger has made her like the people who hurt her. This makes Aggie remember happier times with her caring mother.
Finally, Aggie finds someone who understands her. Remembering her mother helps her find peace. Her spirit crosses over to the afterlife. The storm disappears, and the zombies and Judge all fade away. The town cleans up, and everyone sees Norman as a hero.
In the end, Norman watches a horror movie with his family and the ghost of his grandmother. His family has learned to accept Norman for who he is.
Voice Cast
- Kodi Smit-McPhee as Norman Babcock, an 11-year-old boy who can talk to ghosts.
- Jodelle Ferland as Agatha "Aggie" Prenderghast, the ghost of an 11-year-old girl from the 1700s who was accused of witchcraft.
- Bernard Hill as Judge Hopkins, the ghost of the judge who accused Aggie. He is the leader of the cursed zombies.
- Tucker Albrizzi as Neil Downe, Norman's best friend.
- Anna Kendrick as Courtney Babcock, Norman's 17-year-old sister and a cheerleader.
- Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Alvin, a 15-year-old school bully.
- Casey Affleck as Mitch Downe, Neil's 20-year-old brother and a jock. Courtney likes him.
- John Goodman as Mr. Prenderghast, Norman and Courtney's great uncle. He is the town's local oddball.
- Elaine Stritch as Grandma Babcock, the ghost of Norman and Courtney's grandmother.
- Jeff Garlin as Perry Babcock, Norman and Courtney's dad. He is strict but cares about his son.
- Leslie Mann as Sandra Babcock, Norman and Courtney's mom. She is kind and understanding.
- Tempestt Bledsoe as Sheriff Hooper, the sheriff of Blithe Hollow.
- Alex Borstein as Mrs. Henscher, Norman and Neil's drama teacher.
- Hannah Noyes as Salma, a smart girl from Norman's class.
- Ariel Winter as Blithe Hollow Kid.
- Bridget Hoffman as Crystal and Parachutist Ghost.
- Scott Menville as Deputy Wayne, a deputy who works for Sheriff Hooper.
- David Cowgill as Greaser Ghost.
- Wendy Hoffman as Gucci Lady.
- Jeremy Shada as Pug.
- Emily Hahn as Sweet Girl.
- Jack Blessing as Civil War Ghost.
Other Blithe Hollow townspeople are voiced by Kirk Baily, Cam Clarke, Lara Cody, Eddie Frierson, Rif Hutton, Edie Mirman and David Zyler.
Soundtrack
Jon Brion created the music for the film. A soundtrack album was released on August 14, 2012.
Other songs appear in the movie. These include the theme music from Halloween. The song "Season of the Witch" by Donovan is sung by the school play cast. "Fix Up, Look Sharp" by British rapper Dizzee Rascal is also featured.
At the end of the movie, "Little Ghost" by The White Stripes plays. This song is from their 2005 album Get Behind Me Satan.
Images for kids
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ParaNorman was the first film that used full-color 3D printers for animation.
See also
In Spanish: ParaNorman para niños
