"Coraline" started out as a novel by Gaiman. It was later adapted into a graphic novel and is now on the big screen. The movie is in 3-D in select theatres. That should be the only way to watch it. A movie like this deserves to be seen the way it was intended. The help of a digital projector lets you see the pristine details that will just blow your mind. The 3-D isn't essential to the enjoyment of the movie. It's not one of those 3-D movies that tries really hard to 'shove' things in your face every few seconds to remind you that it is in 3-D. In "Coraline" it can be subtle at times but there are those moments where you feel the urge to reach out. To me, this was a good combination. Often the effect can be more of a distraction. That may be the case in films that are relying on the effects as a gimmick. It's not needed here.
The movie isn't just about trying to fulfill the hidden wishes of children (my five year old daughter soon got the true message of the movie). The movie then takes a darker direction. I would caution those taking small children. This isn't a Disney movie. It's also not as light as "A Nightmare Before Christmas."
"For the most part"? Yeah. There was so much that is great about this movie. It's a good story. I mentioned the animation. The character designs are brilliant. The colors and contrast during the 'dark' times is impressive. The music also plays a part in setting the mood for the differnt scenes. I also liked how...spooky it got. That being said, my daughter wasn't too crazy about the "not nice parts," as she put it. So what didn't I like? The ending. Not so much that you know it's bound to have some sort of a "happy ending" but more in just the way it comes to the ending. It felt a little rushed. The suspense builds up but it just felt like the filmmakers had to rush to finish the story. It's not a horrible ending but perhaps because the movie runs at one hour and forty-one minutes, they knew they had to wrap it up soon.
I give this a 4.5 out of 5. Go see it now.
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