Here in the U.S. Laika Entertainment has been promoting their latest animated effort, ParaNorman, by playing up the feature's allusions to classic American horror iconography with elements like Jason Voorhees hockey mask and the Halloween theme, while stressing that it is--above all else--a family friendly adventure. But across the pond the animation production company behind Corpse Bride and Coraline is offering something slightly more risqué.
Yahoo UK has debuted ParaNorman's international trailer, which shows a slightly more mature side to the film's kiddie characters. Check it out below:
There's a darker sense of humor at work here that appeals to me more than the marketing America's seen from Laika so far. While the premise of ParaNorman had caught my eye, the domestic trailers of this kid-centered zombie tale lacked bite. However, from chubby Neil's fascination with his mother's favorite workout video to the visual gag of a mobster ghost surrounded by fishes, this peak at ParaNorman is by far the most intriguing. It showcases a sharp wit while acknowledging that kids often are aware of more than parents like to imagine. Add this to the horror genre savvy that the American ads have been hitting so hard, and you have got a combination that could make ParaNorman Laika's best film yet.
Let Me In's Kodi Smit-McPhee lends his voice to the feature's paranormally gifted protagonist, while Leslie Mann and Jeff Garlin voice his parents, and Superbad's McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) gets the rare opportunity to play a bully.
ParaNorman will hit theaters in the U.S. on August 17th. A UK release will follow on September 14th.
