.jpg) Director: Henry Selick Studio: Laika Genre(s): Horror Rated: PG (For thematic elements, scary images, some language and suggestive humor) |
If bright colors in recent family films have been getting on your nerves, I would like to turn your attention to “Coraline.” Based on a book by Neil Gaiman and directed by stop-motion master Henry Selick, here is a movie that dares to be ugly, stiff, and dark. A movie that is visually stunning not because it’s great but because it stands out. Oh don’t get me wrong, there are scenes of beauty and color, but as the main character finds out this is all a cover-up before the meat of the story opens up. The movie stars the title character, a twelve-year-old brat voiced by Dakota Fanning. She’s miserable with her life because her parents are busy writing a garden catalog, and therefore don't dote on her with the attention she feels she deserves. I know she deserves a slap across the face, but her parents just sort of put up with her.
Either they don’t care how she acts or she’s acted this way long enough to the point where they just tolerate it. I know my mom wouldn’t let me get away with this, but whatever. The movie picks up when Coraline discovers a small door in her house that leads to an alternate world that is more colorful, more lively, and she has alternate parents who are much nicer to her. They feed her cakes, spoil her rotten, and all they ask in return is that she sow buttons over her eyes like everyone else in that world. The cakes Coraline could take, but does she want to replace her eyes? Most kids at the screening I attended seemed to make a public statement that this was asking too much of her. Once she refuses the eyes the world becomes ugly faster than you realize. Really, it’s almost amazing how fast this movie blind sides the audience.
While the film is in no way a family-friendly film in the first place, the direction this film takes at the halfway point can best be described as “children’s horror.” Ghosts, skellingtons, and starving/deformed people take over the film, and the house now looks like a goth kids' attic. For years people wondered whether or not Selick was anything without Tim Burton, and judging from this movie I’d say he’s finally found his niche. This is easily one of the most unique-looking films in years, one that’s sure to inspire a new line of punk clothes. Don’t take me lightly when I call this a children’s horror: It is really, truly scary at times. So much so that I wonder whether or not kids will be frightened of it. I know that kids are growing up faster these days but...I don’t know, this seems to be pushing your luck with a potential psychiatrist bill down the road.
But not only is the film scary, in an odd way it’s funny as well. No, there aren’t a lot of pop culture puns or sight gags, but there is a morbid sense of fun to be had in Coraline’s misery. Because even though she’s the main character she’s a selfish brat, and she kind of deserves what’s coming to her. It’s oddly liberating to see a child in a compromising situation that you hope she gets out of, but maybe not so soon to ensure she learns her lesson. The voice cast is also universally fantastic, with special notice going to Teri Hatcher who has to play Coraline’s mother in three different character pitches. The music, written by French artist Bruno Coulais, also contributes to “Coraline’s” creepy atmosphere and look, leading me to believe the CD will be worth lots of money when it goes out of print.
But not only is the film scary, in an odd way it’s funny as well. No, there aren’t a lot of pop culture puns or sight gags, but there is a morbid sense of fun to be had in Coraline’s misery. Because even though she’s the main character she’s a selfish brat, and she kind of deserves what’s coming to her. It’s oddly liberating to see a child in a compromising situation that you hope she gets out of, but maybe not so soon to ensure she learns her lesson. The voice cast is also universally fantastic, with special notice going to Teri Hatcher who has to play Coraline’s mother in three different character pitches. The music, written by French artist Bruno Coulais, also contributes to “Coraline’s” creepy atmosphere and look, leading me to believe the CD will be worth lots of money when it goes out of print.
For the 15th anniversary release of this movie, Laika has decided to give the film a 4K remaster of the 3D presentation. I originally neglected to mention the 3D, but the depth adds to the terror of the visuals, and Selick is wise in how he uses the third dimension to create wonder and fear at various points. While some theaters do have 2D presentations, "Coraline" is one of the great 3D films that shows the format still has much potential if you get the right filmmakers together with the right source material. The fact that this was originally supposed to be a one-night Fathom Event that has been given a week-long run thanks to unexpected demand shows how revered the movie has gone on to be.
As with the first time around, I can easily recommend the film to fans of horror and terror, but the strong warning to parents to preview the film before letting kids watch it remains (it doesn't strike me as something a five-year-old should watch). I know that parents have to compete with a $20 million advertising campaign, but you have leverage in that McDonald’s would not make a Happy Meal promotion with this film. Ironically, this is the sort of children’s movie we should see more of. Not one that’s necessarily violent and dark, but rather smart and imaginative. A more contemplative film that takes time to develop its story and characters, and not distract the kids with fast editing and pacing. Something great to look at, with interesting characters, and a story you can get wrapped up in. If I were Pixar I’d be jealous of this film.
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