Film Review: Coraline

Title: Coraline

Director: Henry Selick

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher

Release: February 6, 2009

Country: USA

Genre: Animation, Adventure

Rated: PG

First Viewing: August 11, 2009

Plot Synopsis

A young girl finds a secret door to an alternate version of her own reality...a better version. Her other parents are more attentive, her other neighbors more interesting, and her other home more exciting. But in the end this other life is too good to be true.

My Thoughts

I love Neil Gaiman whether it's books, graphic novels, or films. His visions are a dreamscape, Lucy is in the sky with diamonds and plasticine porters have looking glass ties. The visuals draw the viewer into the world of imagination and terrify just as they delight. Every image seemed imbued with feeling, and while always intriguing, I would not say that these feelings were always comfortable, which makes me doubt the claim that this is a children's story. I guess it all depends on how you define "children". In my opinion, younger viewers or more immature viewers may find the film more scary than fun.

I read Coraline not too long ago and loved it. The film did not disappoint. As with all book to film adaptations, changes were made, but they did not detract from the essence of the story. In the end Coraline is still Coraline. My only regret is that I did not get to see the film in 3-D. I may have to find myself some glasses and rewatch the film.

Rating: 4/5