Animated movies are either wins or misses. Though until this year I’ve never had reason to watch Coraline, I did this year, over ten years after its release. Here’s where I fall for this film.
Coraline (2009) Film Review
Moving isn’t easy. It means a new school, new friends and yet, some things remain the same. For Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning), this means her parents (Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman) continue to ignore her. Her mother is never far from her laptop and her father sits at his piano with little patience for his curious daughter. When the silly boy with his equally silly cat who lives nearby gives Coraline a doll he finds that mirrors her exactly, things start to happen.
She finds a little door in her new house that opens, seemingly only to her, into an alternate world. One that may seem harmless at first glance – parents who care, good meals, love, but may hide something a little unsettling.
FILM REVIEW | ‘BLITHE SPIRIT’: A PERIOD COMEDY ALL ABOUT SASSY SPIRITS
👻👻‘CORALINE’: THE SPOOKY AND SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL ANIMATED FILM👻#ANIMATEDMOVIE #ANIMATION #CORALINE #DAKOTAFANNING Click To Tweet
When it comes to animated movies, I watch them rarely. But now and then, I do because it seems like a good idea at the time. Or maybe just because I want to re-watch something I liked as a kid. Coraline is not one that falls into that latter category; however I did decide to watch it. Mainly this was for a list I needed to work on. The film is, honestly, kind of strange, especially given its target audience.
The plot puts a pre-teen girl in a situation where she’s ignored and left to her own devices. Never a good or ideal situation in any family. However, where things veer off is in putting her in some alternate place that on the surface seems an improvement but isn’t. Of course, like any story, it has a lesson, and it’s not bad. Nonetheless, the film has a kind of Alice in Wonderland quality that just seems strange.
There is impressive voice talent including Fanning (who seems to be one of our current most popular stars), Ian McShane and of course, Teri Hatcher. While the overall “look” of the animation isn’t my style (I don’t know what this type is called), I would be lying if I said the “texture” aspect isn’t impressive. This adds something interesting to the vibe. As does the kind of “fog” or “mist” of the scenes as Coraline explores outside. Again, another thing that adds to the atmosphere of the plot.
If you like stories that aren’t “normal” and cheerful, you may like Coraline. Like Alice in Wonderland, I think it’s a little “out there” and find it curious why so many movies marketed to kids like to explore macabre. But that’s me. Most don’t mind this type of entertainment, so if that’s you, and you want something less spooky (well, maybe a little), Coraline may be the ticket.
PINTEREST PIN – SAVE & SHARE
Content: There’s nothing to mention expect for some “scary” scenes or scenarios. A girl enters another world, and finds it hides a secret or two; it gets “dark” in the climaxes. There is a scene of a woman who is basically naked; rhinestones cover her privates. The tone of the film is darker than other animated films and while the animation is unique, it too follows the “dark” themes and looks. The film is PG.
Photos:
One comment