Directed by: Henry Selick Starring:Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, Robert Bailey Jr., Ian McShane
Running Time: 1h 41min
Selick has done it again, crafting an animated film that is equally entertaining for adults, children, and art school film buffs. When a project based on the youth novel by Neil Gaiman is taken on by someone as equally skilled at disturbing yet accessible work, one can breathe a sigh of relief. However, the expectations become huge, and the chance of disappointment quickly emerges. Yet, after seeing Coraline, in 3-D no less, that sigh quickly becomes an exasperated awe.
True to the tone of Gaiman's work, Coraline looks every bit as stunning as it reads. Though a little hesitant to bring my young daughter to see it, i was hoping it wouldn't provoke the nightmares the way Inkheart has (for both myself and my daughter). On the opposite end, i was hoping the movie version wouldn't kiddie down the darkness underlying Gaiman's tome of childhood disappointment. Thankfully, the movie delights all ages, with mesmerizing set pieces that tickle the tiny eyes in the audience, while tantalizing the adult brain that attempts to wrap their head around the stunning animation. The brisk third act seems to happen so fast with such fabulous art work that it begs to be immediately watched once again.
The voice casting is good, and the musical numbers exquisite. It was a delight to hear They Might Be Giants, for both young and old, while the images set to the score brought the entire film to fantastic heights. Groundbreakingly designed, with a nod to classic 2-D animation beauty, Coraline will definitely find a place in my Blu-Ray collection. I'm just not sure who will want to watch it more, me or my daughter?
Grade: A
Selick has done it again, crafting an animated film that is equally entertaining for adults, children, and art school film buffs. When a project based on the youth novel by Neil Gaiman is taken on by someone as equally skilled at disturbing yet accessible work, one can breathe a sigh of relief. However, the expectations become huge, and the chance of disappointment quickly emerges. Yet, after seeing Coraline, in 3-D no less, that sigh quickly becomes an exasperated awe.
True to the tone of Gaiman's work, Coraline looks every bit as stunning as it reads. Though a little hesitant to bring my young daughter to see it, i was hoping it wouldn't provoke the nightmares the way Inkheart has (for both myself and my daughter). On the opposite end, i was hoping the movie version wouldn't kiddie down the darkness underlying Gaiman's tome of childhood disappointment. Thankfully, the movie delights all ages, with mesmerizing set pieces that tickle the tiny eyes in the audience, while tantalizing the adult brain that attempts to wrap their head around the stunning animation. The brisk third act seems to happen so fast with such fabulous art work that it begs to be immediately watched once again.
The voice casting is good, and the musical numbers exquisite. It was a delight to hear They Might Be Giants, for both young and old, while the images set to the score brought the entire film to fantastic heights. Groundbreakingly designed, with a nod to classic 2-D animation beauty, Coraline will definitely find a place in my Blu-Ray collection. I'm just not sure who will want to watch it more, me or my daughter?
Grade: A
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