Who says that you need fancy CGI-animation to make one competent family-friendly film? If the recent stop-motion film “Coraline”, the animated series “Samurai Jack” and the Japanese anime movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki were any indication, filmmakers need not rely on fancy computer graphics to fill theater seats. All it takes is some old-fashioned creativity and imagination to bring viewers in a world of wonder. Directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler (who also wrote the script) … more
** out of **** Whenever an animated film makes a commendable effort to reach out to multiple generations, I must give it props for that alone. They can't all be just for the kiddies; if a filmmaker can provide as good at time for the adults as for the children, then they deserve to be held in high regards. I personally like the animated fare that, while decidedly scarce due to unpopular demand, is geared for the most part towards a more mature audience. Stop-motion is a wonderful … more
Star Rating: Nine times out of ten, debating a film’s appropriateness for children is utterly pointless. But in the case of ParaNorman, a 3D stop-motion animated film about ghosts, zombies, and a witch’s curse, I cannot help but wonder what age group the filmmakers had in mind. With its morbid imagery, its broad and occasionally twisted sense of humor, and its handling of dark issues such as bullying, death, and the execution of suspected witches, … more