ALARIS' REVIEWS

27th February 2010
Coraline (2009)

Coraline is a claymation children's film, based on a novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. Anyone who knows Gaimain would expect something dark and disturbing, but Coraline skims along fairly safe, family viewing territory.

Coraline Jones is an ordinary, somewhat discontented girl. Her family has just moved to a new town, she misses her friends, and her parents are too distracted with work to pay her any attention. In other words, Coraline is a prime target for unexpected adventure, which manifests itself in the form of a sinister, secret door wallpapered over in the house.

The opening premise reminded me a little of Spirited Away (2001), in which sullen, lonely Chihiro moves to a new house and.well, you'll have to watch it.

Coraline is a reasonably enjoyable film. The claymation is impressively rendered and charmingly designed. The voice cast, including Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher, give spirited performances. The story is a classic tale of lessons learned, with lashings of fairytale horror in the vein of the Brothers Grimm.

However, Coraline isn't a standout film. It lacks the emotional highs and lows of films like Spirited Away, and the vulnerability and humour of films like James and the Giant Peach (1996). Coraline will probably appeal to children who relate to the main character's everyday frustrations, but I personally would have liked to see more nuance and growth.

Coraline is an easy film to watch, and delivers a fantasy/horror story which many children will identify with.

Verdict: An enjoyable children's fantasy/horror film, but not an emotional masterpiece.

If you like James and the Giant Peach, you might like this.

**+

Read Clementine's review of Coraline (2009).