ParaNorman Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "ParaNorman" is nothing short of spectacular, highlighting the intricate stop-motion animation with stunning clarity. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer showcases the film's grim and ghoulish visual splendor with razor-sharp edges and immaculate textures. Each of the 400,000 stop-frames, captured with Canon EOS 5D Mark II SLR cameras, offers a crisp and refined high-definition image that is free from any blips, blemishes, or artifacts. Delineation is excellent, allowing for minute facial variations to be apparent frame-by-frame.

The color palette is both vivid and lush, splattering the screen with striking and vibrant hues. The balance between warm pastels and richly saturated primaries is meticulously maintained, generating a visually sumptuous experience. The black levels are inky and rich, revealing precise gradational details within shadows and darker scenes that augment a splendid three-dimensional feel. Contrast is finely tuned, providing remarkable clarity and visibility of every minute detail from town architecture to the foreboding forest scenes. Overall, the freshly-minted transfer on Blu-ray offers an extraordinary and gorgeous visual feast.

The Blu-ray presentation of "ParaNorman" delivers an exemplary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that masterfully captures the film's supernatural essence. The audio performance stands out during moments of heightened chaos, where LFE channels conjure up supernatural storms, chilling moans, and bone-rattling thooms with remarkable precision. Rear speakers artfully enhance the atmosphere, with winds howling and ghostly wails echoing across the soundfield, enveloping the listener. Jon Brion’s score punctuates these eerie silences with purpose, creating a compelling sonic experience that is deeply immersive and highly engaging.

Rear activity reaches peak intensity during the latter half of the movie. The sound design immerses you seamlessly into a small New England town's descent into supernatural mayhem, characterized by mob cheers, thunderous cracks, and howling winds. The soundtrack’s dynamics remain pristine even when plagued by intense action; each scream and whisper is captured clearly without distortion. Vocals are crystal-clear throughout—dialogue remains distinct, ensuring that critical emotional beats are not lost amid the chaos.

The nuanced and meticulous sound placement results in an eclectic sense of space. Subtle effects pan around the room with precision, making off-screen activities consistently convincing. The mid-range frequencies, warm and thoroughly detailed, complement the powerful low-end that adds an appreciable level of intensity. While some slight loss of clarity emerges toward the film's climax—potentially a deliberate choice to match the on-screen turmoil—it does not detract significantly from an overall superb audio presentation. This expert balancing act between atmospheric elements and narrative clarity confirms the DTS-HD Master Audio track as a high-caliber component of this Blu-ray offering.

The Blu-ray extras for "ParaNorman" offer a robust and insightful deep dive into the film’s production, appealing to both casual viewers and hardcore fans of stop-motion animation. Directors Chris Butler and Sam Fell provide an engaging, detailed audio commentary exploring their inspirations, the meticulous animation process, and the intricacies of the film’s design and voicework. Furthermore, the collection includes 41 minutes of extensive featurettes that highlight various production aspects, from character creation to utilizing CGI, presented in a segmented manner but enjoyable as a complete viewing experience. Additional shorter featurettes focus on the crew's day-to-day efforts at Laika Studios. The preliminary animatic sequences, paired with optional commentary, provide early glimpses of the storytelling development. Overall, these extras are informative and add great value to understanding the craftsmanship behind "ParaNorman."

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary from Director Sam Fell and Writer/Director Chris Butler: In-depth insights into story development and production.
• Peering Through the Veil: Detailed featurettes exploring various aspects of production.
• Additional Featurettes: Seven concise pieces focusing on crew efforts.
• Preliminary Animatic Sequences: Early storyboard sequences with commentary.
• U-Control: Picture-in-Picture track integrating content for an accessible viewing experience.

ParaNorman is an ambitious stop-motion animated film from Laika that masterfully balances eerie visuals with a heartwarming message. At its core, it tells the story of Norman Babcock, a boy who can see and speak to the dead but struggles to connect with the living. His unique gift thrusts him into a whirlwind adventure involving an ancient curse, a vengeful witch, and a horde of zombies. Despite the narrative's occasional unevenness, the film delivers memorable characters led by Norman, his steadfast friend Neil, and an ensemble of quirky personalities. The use of dark humor combined with classic horror elements evokes the essence of a Tim Burton creation while delivering an engaging, albeit occasionally jarring, viewing experience.

Visually, ParaNorman is a feast for the eyes, showcasing Laika's sophisticated stop-motion animation. The film's supernatural happenings, from raging storms to zombie assaults, are rendered with impressive scope and detail, creating a grandiose yet intimate cinematic experience. While the character performances can be somewhat wooden at times, the overall animation breathes life into the narrative, producing scenes that range from subtly humorous to outright thrilling. Thematically, the film tackles important issues such as bullying and societal acceptance, weaving them seamlessly into its spooky storyline, making it suitable for older children and their nostalgia-driven parents.

ParaNorman's blend of horror, humor, and poignant messaging makes it a standout in contemporary children's animation. While it may be too intense for very young viewers, it provides an ideal mix of chills and laughs for older kids and adults alike. Its underlying commentary on fear and acceptance resonates deeply, making it a valuable addition to family horror-comedy catalogs. Despite its minor shortcomings in pacing and character development, ParaNorman's ambitious storytelling and exquisite animation ensure its place as a notable entry in Laika's impressive oeuvre.

Laika Studios' "ParaNorman" offers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience, rendered impeccably in its Blu-ray release. This animated chiller melds whimsical storytelling with mature themes such as the perils of bullying and the value of individuality. The stop-motion animation is nothing short of spectacular, showcasing Laika's meticulous craftsmanship and keen attention to detail. The hero's journey is both unique and inspiring, providing a narrative depth rarely seen in family films.

Technically, "ParaNorman" stands out with its reference-quality picture and well-balanced audio presentation. The high-definition transfer ensures that every fine detail of the animation is crisp and vividly vibrant, enhancing the viewing experience significantly. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track envelops the audience in an immersive soundscape, amplifying both the atmospheric chills and the character-driven moments. Supplementary content, although not extensive, provides additional layers of appreciation for the film's creative process. A more comprehensive behind-the-scenes documentary would have been welcomed to further explore the film's production intricacies.

In conclusion, while "ParaNorman" may not eclipse the iconic status of "Coraline," its Blu-ray release exemplifies high standards in video and audio quality. This animated gem will undoubtedly be cherished for years to come, especially given its strong high-definition presentation. Highly recommended for animation aficionados and those who appreciate heartfelt, thematically rich storytelling.