“Coraline” is a family movie that appeals not only to children but to their parents as well. However, there’s a caveat here. Toward the end of the film, Coraline is in danger of being consumed by her other mother, who has transformed into a pretty scary creature, making the film potentially too intense for young, impressionable children. This is the basis for the PG (not G) rating. Blue-haired Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning), has just moved to an isolated, 150-year old mansion in Oregon with her distracted parents. Because her mother (Teri Hatcher) and father (John Hodgman) are writers with a deadline, they have little time for their daughter so Coraline is left on her own to explore her new home. She meets the next door neighbor, Wybe Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.) and his cat, the vaudeville sisters (Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French), who live in the lower apartment and the ‘circus man’ Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane), who lives upstairs. One day Coraline discovers a hidden door that leads to another world where her ‘Other Mother’ and ‘Other Father’ are interested in only pleasing her. To stay here, Coraline realizes that she must give up more than she’s willing.
Director Henry Selick, who blends scenes of rich beauty with disturbing creepiness (remember “Nightmare Before Christmas”?), has created a remarkable stop-motion animated fable with a plot interesting enough to engage views of all ages. The vocal characterizations are strong; Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher are the standouts. And Selick’s subtle use of 3D adds greater depth and intensity to his ‘other-worldly’ scenes. Although the 3D experience makes “Coraline” more eye-catching, especially the final sequence after the credits, it is not mandatory to see this film in 3D, especially if you have young children who refuse to wear the glasses. “Coraline” is a touch of magic that’s definitely worth seeing. 2/9/09
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