PARANORMAN

Spooky, goofy and brimming with heart, ParaNorman is both an irreverent screw-ball comedy for children and an ode to schlocky 80s horror flicks. When zombies invade the quiet, unassuming town of Blithe Hollow, it’s up to Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a socially-ostracised teenager who can speak with ghosts, to save everyone. But Norman’s troubles merely begin with the undead: aided by a motley crew of misfits, he must also unravel an age-old mystery involving witchcraft. The latest stop-motion animation from Laika (the studio behind Coraline) is a gothic gem buoyed by eccentric characters, clever gags and a strong message about tolerance. Children and adults alike will find plenty to enjoy, and the most attentive viewers will be rewarded by jokes hidden within the film’s detailed mise-en-scène. (JH) ***1/2