ParaNorman 3D Movie Review ( Remastered 2025 Edition )

October 26, 2025 by Jacob Scarberry in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, ParaNorman, animated movies

ParaNorman 3D Movie Review

( Remastered 2025 Edition )

By Jacob Scarberry

3D

Another year, another Laika 3D remaster. Last year’s remaster of Coraline was fantastic (even from the neck-breaking front row I was stuck in) — a real treat for the spooky season. I had high hopes for this 3D remaster, but sadly, it was a bit of a disappointment.

The biggest issue is the lack of consistent pop-outs, despite so many opportunities — from particles and storm effects to limbs and objects entering the 4th wall, and the ghastly wraiths haunting the world of ParaNorman. When pop-outs did occur, they were a lot of fun: the zombies’ first appearance as they charge straight toward Norman, the climax with sharp tree spikes bursting from the ground, and a few other scattered (bugs flying out) moments throughout.

The strongest aspect of the 3D is its excellent sense of depth — the environments look fantastic and immersive. Unfortunately, noticeable ghosting appears in several scenes, which knocks the overall experience down a notch.

It’s still an enjoyable 3D presentation overall, but mild compared to Coraline’s remaster — and on its own merits, the 3D in ParaNorman feels fairly weak.

Final 3D Score: 6/10

Movie

What do you get when you mix The Sixth Sense, The Goonies, Hocus Pocus, The Monster Squad, and Romero’s Deadtrilogy? You get a wonderfully entertaining stop-motion animated classic that may not reach the heights of Laika’s previous film Coraline but stands tall as a classic in its own right.

The story follows misunderstood Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), an outcast who can see the ghosts of Blithe Hollow’s former residents. Even his family doesn’t fully understand him — except for his dearly departed grandmother, who still spends time with him — and his friend and fellow outcast Neil (Tucker Albrizzi). Things take a dark turn when Norman begins seeing terrifying visions of the town’s past, which leads to a major freak-out during the annual school play about the town’s witch-hunting history.

Norman’s estranged uncle, Mr. Prenderghast (John Goodman, in an all-too-brief role), warns him about a yearly ritual meant to quell the witch’s curse. Norman must perform it before sundown — or the town will face the witch’s wrath. Joined by a ragtag group of family and friends, Norman sets out to end the three-century-old curse once and for all.

When I think of animated horror films for families, I usually think of Hotel Transylvania — fun, but completely safe. ParaNorman, on the other hand, isn’t afraid to mix humor with real menace and emotional weight. Though ParaNorman first hit theaters back in 2012, it’s aged like a fine wine — its themes, humor, and craftsmanship feel just as sharp and relevant today as they did over a decade ago. Kids need more films like this — ones that balance scares, laughs, and meaningful themes without talking down to their audience.

The animation is stunning. Laika’s stop-motion craftsmanship is second to none: every frame is packed with intricate details in the sets, costumes, and expressive character animation. The cinematography beautifully captures the autumnal New England atmosphere, with warm lighting and even subtle touches like sunlight glowing through the characters’ translucent skin. The script is sharp and funny, and directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler handle the material with confidence and heart.

If there’s one flaw, it’s that the movie takes a little while to get going — but once it does, it’s a nonstop festival of frights and delights. It deserves a permanent place in your annual Halloween rotation for generations to come.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website :

https://www.laika.com/our-films/paranorman

Chainsaw Man Rez Arc 3D Movie Review

October 25, 2025 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, Anime, Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man Rez Arc

3D Movie Review

Written by Adolph Vega

I watched Chainsaw Man in laser 3D projection, and it was gorgeous. Seeing this film on the big screen was absolutely worth it. I never would have thought an anime like this could work in 3D, but I was pleasantly surprised by how excellent the 3D implementation is. The art design perfectly complements the 3D aspect, and the layering is truly amazing — some of the best I’ve seen in any animated format.

3D depth is the real star here. This is a masterclass in separating visual elements, giving the film a sense of scale and immersion that elevates the story. The unique blend of 2D and CGI-style animation works beautifully, with each frame crafted to highlight depth and texture.

A great example of this is how trees are handled — in 2D, they’re just flat textures, but in 3D, they appear as multiple layers of foliage. The anime character models look fascinating in 3D — the layered hair, subtle facial depth, and contours give them a true sense of dimension, making the designs feel fully realized even though the animation style appears flat. Some standout sequences include the dream, pool, car battle, and fireworks scenes — all extremely impressive in 3D without giving away spoilers. The second half of the film is action-packed, and that’s where the 3D truly shines.

Sadly, 3D pop is rare — that’s the only thing holding it back from perfection. When those pop-out moments do happen, they’re phenomenal and deliver that true “reach-out-and-grab-you” excitement. The limited pop effect likely comes down to the art style itself.

Overall, Chainsaw Man is a fantastic 3-D achievement, proving that anime can thrive in the 3D format. Chainsaw Man is a stunning, immersive visual experience that sets the standard for 3D in anime films. To fully appreciate the film’s artistry and visual brilliance, Chainsaw Man must be seen in 3D.

Final 3D Score: 9/10 and Editor’s Choice Award

Movie

I never read the manga or watched the Chainsaw Man TV series, but I caught up through several recap videos, so I had a good grasp of what was happening. Even then, I still felt a little lost in the deep lore of the franchise. Thankfully, there are plenty of exposition dumps to fill in key details.

That said, if you’ve never seen the show or read the manga, you’ll miss about 70% of the context. A simple example: an early scene features a cat. Fans of the series will recognize the elaborate backstory and emotional weight behind this cat, while newcomers will just see it as a cute kitty.

The story centers on Denji, a young, sexually frustrated man who works for a government agency that hunts devils across Japan. Alongside his coworkers, Denji fights to protect the population from hidden devils. The film’s story beats — love, loyalty, and good versus evil — are universal, but it still assumes you’re already familiar with the world and its rules.

The English dub voice acting is incredible — everyone gives 110%. The characters are likable, and the chemistry between them is outstanding. The first half plays like a love story, while the second half explodes into nonstop action. The biggest weakness is the predictable plot — I was able to guess most of the pivotal story elements in advance. The writing is solid, though it leans heavily into familiar anime clichés (for better and worse).

The animation is phenomenal, with stunning art direction and a powerful use of color — a true feast for the eyes. It’s a masterclass in visual storytelling with richly detailed environments. The action scenes are dynamic and thrilling, and the visuals are consistently spectacular.

The music deserves special mention. The opening pop song is a real banger, even if I didn’t understand it (the lyrics weren’t dubbed). The score throughout the film is beautifully composed and perfectly matches the tone of each scene.

One last note — this movie is intense. It features extremely violent sequences, adult language, and several sexual scenes. This isn’t a kids’ movie by any stretch.

In closing: Chainsaw Man is a visually breathtaking, emotionally charged, action-packed film that rewards longtime fans and still entertains newcomers — to a degree.

And yes — there’s a post-credits scene, and it’s very funny.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website: https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/chainsawmanthemovierezearc

Tron Ares 3D Movie Review

October 10, 2025 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, 2025, Tron Ares, Tron

Tron Ares 3D Movie Review

Movie Review by Jacob Scarberry

3D

Overall the 3D aspect of Tron Ares is pretty dang good. The film has a distinct unique art style that in theory works well for the 3-D format. The film looks its best in 3-D when in the world(s) of Tron. At times the grid lines visually pop in 3D, with incredible depth and some pop-outs (The scenes are very brief). Moving into the “real” world, the color palette tends to get desaturated quite a bit, dulling the colors, and dulling the 3D quite a bit, with only the primary colors (namely red) feeling punchy and adding to the 3D visual experience. My primary complaint is the absence of significant pop-outs (it has some, but not nearly enough).. The "de-rezzed" NPC remnants moving towards the viewer, a few laser gun barrels, and the power discs moving in from the projector to the actors - these moments are when the 3d excels. Sadly a few scenes of ghosting at the edges of the picture occurred as I watched the film (very brief). Overall, I had high expectations for Tron Ares, anticipating a visual feast of 3D effects. However, I was disappointed to find that the 3D elements were limited and not as prominent as I had hoped.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

Movie

I have been aware of the Tron films for decades now, from seeing the old-school Disney VHS clamshell on the shelves at Blockbuster Video, to seeing the various toys and video games out there, and not to mention the legendary Tron Guy meme on the olden days of the Internet. Tron, a cult favorite for over four decades, finally captured my attention this past week. I meticulously prepared for this film by watching the previous two films in series. Sadly that was a waste of time as Tron Ares is low-key soft reboot of the film series. This film barely acknowledging Tron: Legacy as all except for a few passing references.

The plot of Tron Ares is that the character of Ares, a self-aware program, is sent to retrieve the permanence code from old floppy discs. The code is crucial for bringing digital constructs into the real world. Will this code go into the wrong hands? You will need to watch the movie to find out.

Yeah, I gotta admit, I really don't like the Tron movies. The entire film franchise is guilty of having poor world building, muddled narratives, underbaked motifs, and motivations. I fail to see why the films are considered cult classics, besides the neon-hued set designs and a terrific Daft Punk score for Legacy. I mean, how did a company that went from making arcade games go on to become a tech giant, making way too advanced software for its time and a laser that, quite frankly, was always in an unsafe location, with no protective barrier between the computer and laser? Major OSHA violation there, but there are light (and I mean light) touches on religion, software gone astray, and AI possibly being too powerful in the wrong hands, that are fumbled in the entire trilogy.

I’m sorry but the Tron film series just fall flat (including Ares). Tron Ares has performances that are mediocre, direction feels generic, and the screenplay is super predictable. The only real positives are the terrific visuals (except for some scenes in the real world that feel washed out with a lack of color and contrast) and the amazing Nine Inch Nails soundtrack. Everything else is just the biggest, fattest mid-movie Disney could muster after 15 years in between sequels and 40 years of a franchise that should never have been. It's truly amazing how a trilogy of films could be so damn boring yet achieve a sizable fandom. In the words of the popular meme from the decade-old animated film The Lorax, "Let it die! Let it die! Let it die!" and this time for good.

Final Movie Score: 5/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

https://movies.disney.com/tron-ares