Synopsis:
A
young girl walks through a secret door in her
new home and discovers an alternate version of
her life.
The Freak's
Rating: B : When The Nightmare Before
Christmas was released, it became an instant
cult classic. Until then, stop motion
hadn't progressed much beyond California Raisin
commercials of the late 80s, but this film
showcased the wonder it can bestow perfectly.
Stop motion is a truly amazing style of
filmmaking. The patience and attention to
detail in this process has no rival.
A
recent debate my wife & I had was over the
casting of animated films. If you've
followed this site the last few months you may
remember. Coraline's casting director has
done a fine job, with parts voiced by stars such
as Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher. No
actor overplays their part to the point where
you lose sight of the film's character and focus
on who is behind the microphone in the studio.
Coraline has an extravagant storyline.
Everyone can relate to childhood curiosity and
the mystery of moving to a new home is something
many of us have experienced as well.
Blended into that sentimentality are some
interesting characters to liven up the story.
Going one step further to attempt to mix a
top-notch family film cocktail, stop motion is
the creation method, giving a look and feel to
the film that jumps off the screen (especially
if you can see it in REAL 3D).
Dakota Fanning continues to grow up right before
filmgoers eyes and does a masterful job of
disappearing into the character of Coraline.
It is pleasing to me to see Ian McShane shining
as the upstairs circus freak and even Teri
Hatcher (whom I loathe in her Desperate
Housewives role) is tolerable. Delivery is
right on key and we are easily enveloped by the
story.
Coraline is a nice family film and a wonder to
behold for the stop motion alone. Take
heed parents, this is not for young children.
Coraline is quite frightening at some points and
will most likely be too intense for some younger
kids to handle. For those 12+ I'd say it
will be enjoyable, though you still may have a
tough time calming them down for bed.
Sebastian's
Rating: B : The night before christmas and
corpse bride show how brilliant stop motion can
be. The two films both have something in common,
how dark a childrens movie can get, yet instead
of being so scary, it turns out to be so very
entertaining.
Coraline tends to carry on this sort of
amusement, and very well indeed. It starts of
showing how dull coralines original world is,
and overnight shows how good it can be. Some
things in this movie really make you think
afterwards, and a lot of meanings tends to leave
the screening with you.
However, coraline tends to get a little dark at
times, and looses the plot everyonce in while.
Yet, despite these flaws, it turns out to be a
great film. I can't see myself watching it too
much, since it tends to go a little slowly. As
for the special effects, stop motion and the
most brilliant dark imagery I've seen in a
while, coraline just falls beneath an A for me,
However I do reccommened this film to everyone
there.
As for the little kids, I would say bring your
parents, for comfort; as this movie can be a
little distressing for the faint hearted.
click here to review
it yourself!
