Coraline Review

First things first. Coraline was first a horror novella by English author Neil Gaiman. I haven't read it, but it's said to be severely disturbing. Writing for The New York Times, Charles Taylor called it "one of the most truly frightening books ever written."

Before approaching the MPAA for a rating for the movie Coraline, the director, Henry Selick said, "We're hoping for an edgy PG. ... We're trying to send a signal with the trailer that it's scary and only for brave children of any age. It's not for little kids under 8."

Don't let your kids see this if they are under 10. There is some seriously scary stuff in here, as you might have been able to tell from the trailer above.

I repeat. It WILL freak your kids out. Heck, I was getting freaked out myself just sitting there in the theaters, and I'm almost 20 years old. There were people in the theater who had younger kids who actually left (which I applaude them for).

But, if you aren't a kid, then think of this movie as a two hour (or so) light drug trip. Granted, I've never done drugs, but I bet this is what people would see if you were on them.

All that aside, though, the movie was an amazing experience into the world of stop-motion. Being a HUGE fan of stop motion, I was excited to see a 3D stop motion picture. I had really only seen two other 3D motion pictures Beowulf, and Bolt, but even those were computer animated. I thrive on the creative side of movies, so Chicken Run, Wallace and Gromit, Corpse Bride, and The Nightmare Before Christmas are some of my favorite stop-motion pictures.

But Coraline was a whole new playing field for this movie-goer.

Not being a fan of horror in general (I don't want to pay to see people's guts being ripped out, thank you), there were a few points in the film where I was physically uncomfortable.

And there was some major innuendo that was painfully obvious. This is a movie targeting children, so I should be able to write nothing towards this subject.

Alas, Coraline demands three paragraphs devoted to sexual material and near-nudity. I'll start at the top, as it were: In a theatrical, acrobatic performance, Miss Spink's obese torso is shown in a midriff- and cleavage-revealing mermaid costume. Miss Forcible goes even further, appearing in nothing more than a bikini bottom and sequin pasties. Coraline shouts in a sort of astonished delight, "She's practically naked!" (That was my thought as well, but delete the glee and insert disbelief and cringing.)

Ultimately, Spink and Forcible are shown to be wearing "fat suit" costumes that zipper off revealing slender, much younger and slightly more clothed women. But I really wouldn't want my kids entertained with nearly nude women (that leaves NOTHING to the imagination) doing trapeze acts.

Mr. Bobinsky, another oddball neighbor, is shown in tiny shorts and a shirt that reveals his large, hairy belly. He vaults from a balcony and lands nearly on top of Coraline, with his, uh, personal region mere millimeters from her pointing gardening sheers. There was a unified groan/gasp from the male members of the audience at that moment.

So how can I boil the plot down for you?

Coraline Jones is a girl who is bored of her life. She finds a door in her house leading to a parrallel universe; another house just like hers. She's a little confused at first, but then find that everything is "better" in this world. This is where the subtle creepiness starts getting woven into the film.

It's very hard to explain to you. You just really have to see it.

In all? If you really want your kids to see it, see it before the little tykes. You'll thank me later. But enjoy the beautiful stop motion.

Does Coraline have any moral messages in it? Hmmmm...some.

It highlights the value of parents—even the ones who seem boring in a less-than-perfect-but-very-real home. It also illustrates, somewhat, the illusion of perfection vs. the value of appreciating what you have.

The movie, in an equally indirect way, addresses the dangers of self-absorption. Coraline is often brushed aside as her busy parents finish demanding projects. (They both work from home.) So she's instantly enthralled with her other parents who dote on her. Everything her other parents do is focused on meeting her every want—but this dream world is shown to be empty in the end. And Coaraline eventually learns to appreciate even the banalities of reality.