Post by Cesar Supernova! on Feb 11, 2009 16:45:04 GMT -5
So I finally got to see the movie I have been DYING to see ever since I saw the teaser trailer, "Coraline". The movie is based off of a book by the same name and follows the adventures of a young girl who stumbles into a parallel world where everything that was once boring and ordinary, is dazzling and exciting. The film is presented in 3-D, and let me tell you, it is quite a sight. (I really want to see it again, but the only theaters that have digital projection are over an hour away.) I'm going to make this review short and sweet as I'm not much of a writer.
Pros:
01. Stop Motion Animation - With all the CGI films that are being churned out, it's nice to see something stylistic and genuine. Stop motion has always appealed to me and this film really captures the beauty of the art. So much hard work and detail goes into animating in such a manner, and all the hard work done on this film can be seen in the opening sequence alone.
02. Charming AND Creepy - I forget how one reviewer put it, but he mentioned something about how the sweet, light-hearted aspects of the film blended nicely with the creepy, darker sides of it. This movie is definitely bizarre, but in such a delicious way. Many of the little kids in the audience were freaking out. Not to mention, there were some decently disturbing-ish images shown throughout. Although this is a "family film", it truly can be appreciated by fans of animation, regardless of age, it's breathtaking.
03. 3 Sexy Dimensions - Not only is the movie so flawlessly animated, but when you introduce 3-D to the mix, you are completely immersed into all the wonders you see. Everyone is raving that it is the best film to be made in 3-D to date, and trust me, I couldn't agree with them anymore. If you've never seen a 3-D film before, let "Coraline" be your first, you won't regret it. It takes full advantage of the technology. It is a feast for your eyes, they won't leave the theater hungry.
Cons:
01. Wyborn a/k/a "Wybie" - A character named "Wybie" was created just for the film, and although I didn't know this before seeing it, I could tell his presence was a tad off. After watching some behind the scenes clips, I found out he wasn't in the book, and it all made sense. He's not present enough, especially towards the end, and someone who the filmmakers spent so much time introducing, slips between the cracks. Not to mention, I felt that there were times that his presence didn't make sense or that his character was very inconsistent in his actions. The man who adapted for the screen (Henry Selick) said that he added "Wybie" to give Coraline someone to talk to so that she wasn't constantly talking to herself. I dunno I think if done the right way, his character could have not been needed.
02. Plot Holes - Although the story was quite original, there were times when I felt things needed a little more explaining. I really want to go pick up the book now, I think that it will give me more "why's" than the movie did.
Overall I give "Coraline" an 8.5 - 9. It was so wonderfully made and is such a pleasure to watch. Unlike most animated films, which run rather short, "Coraline" clocks in at 1 hour and 40 mins, which is such a nice change. It is sure to make you smile, creep you out and put you in a complete state of awe.
I especially thought it was creepy how the whole family died at the end so the could join Coraline in the afterlife, HAHA! Just kidding! Nothing of the sort happens. Go see the movie and let me know whatcha think!
Here's a sick trailer:
It was great, even worth the fact it was $10 for one ticket, lol.
- and Other Mother fits that role perfectly.)
