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Movie Review: Coraline
So, if you're reading this comic, I think that it's a fair bit that you'd enjoy the film Coraline, written by Neil Gaimen and directed by Henry Selick.
Undoubtedly, you've read other (better) reviews, so chalk this one up as "positive word of mouth".
3-D
The 3-d version is pretty amazing. I was skeptical of this "new fangled 3-d" technology that I've been reading about, but it was supar COOL! It was just like a ViewMaster when you were a kid. (Or at least when I was a kid.) It gave a sense of depth to the scenes like I've never ever seen before. If you get the chance, see this in 3-d!
Characters
The character design was really tasty, and the characters really seemed real to me. Coraline, in particular, was a likable, interesting, and believable girl. While the characters did look similar those found in the Corpse Bride, they also had their own unique (erm) character. They felt almost European to me for some reason.
Story
The story was fairly timeless, and as a parent with not enough time, I could relate to the parents (and Coraline) for just not having quite enough time for their daughter. That said, the only flaw with the story, and the movie as a whole, is that it seemed to slow down quite a bit in the third act. But, certainly not enough for me to get lost or bored.
Oregon
I used to live in Oregon, and I'm pretty impressed with the set design. I kept forgetting that I wasn't simply watching a slightly skewed version of our own world.
Feel
This movie has a unique vibe that makes it something special. I think that it's a combination of the great animation and voice acting, along with all of the art that fills the screen. It's a new world unto itself.
Musical
Coraline isn't a musical, but the soundtrack was goodly, and seemed to fit in perfectly. The fact that I can't remember it means that it was pretty good.
Better than:
Corpse Bride, James and the Giant Peach, Monkeybone.
Almost as good as:
Nightmare Before Christmas. (Sure, Coraline's animation is generations above NbC, but NBC is HALLOWEEN for gawds sake... and that's powerful stuff.) Coraline is dang close, though.
Classic?
It is in my book, but I'm a huge animation and stop motion fan. Your mileage may vary, but I think that it's a pretty damn special film.
So, that's my 2 cents. I strongly urge you to see Coraline, unless you hate stop motion or animation or kittens, puppies, and all things good**.
86 furnace goblins out of 100
- Daniel
**There are not kittens or puppies in this film. Old dogs and cats, sure.
