BalekFekete
Shared on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 09:04I really do hate going to the movie theaters, and I'm sure I'm not alone here. Between the exorbitant ticket and concession prices, sticky floors and seats, and a room filled with Timmies, I can't help but ask "Why do this to myself?" Moreover because I finally have a substantial home theater which can give me a similar visual and audio experience, with better food, beer, and a comfy couch. Did I mention beer? The only upside is when I do venture out, it's usually to treat the family to a movie, and most of the time I can pick something that makes the pain worth it. This past weekend, the family and I took in Coraline in 3D and - thankfully - weren't disappointed.
Adapted from a Hugo Award-winning book, and brought to screen by the same director who captured our hearts with A Nightmare Before Christmas in the same stop-motion animation technique, Coraline tells the tale of a tween-aged girl recently moved into a new house by stay-at-home parents whose focus on work trumps any needs of their daughter. During a review of the new house while left to fend for her own enjoyment, she finds a rather odd doorway sealed behind some wallpaper. Rather odd might be an understatement, especially after she opens it one evening and discovers a portal into an alternate universe. A universe based upon her own, but with *ahem* modified inhabitants - namely her parents. As you would suspect, not everything is as it seems and Coraline finds herself on a quest to save her parents, her friends, and herself by the end of the movie. Going into anymore detail would, I'm afraid, spoil anything for future viewers.
While the plot was solid, the real marvel of the movie comes in its presentation. First and foremost, the showing we took in was in digital 3D, and it did not disappoint. The effects were impressive, without being forced. Most of the time, the effect was used to deepen the three-dimensional aspects of the normal movie, rather than throwing odd jack-in-the-boxes or other gimmicks through he screen at the audience. Even all the movie trailers were for '3D enabled' movies, which was kinda cool. Artistically, the movie was absolutely stellar. Only capable with this type of animation, you get a tactile feeling for the world and the people moving through it. Geometries are askew and people's features are exaggerated as you would expect with stop-motion, but it all just works. Finally, the musical score is amazing, adding to the world both subtly and subversively. In a like manner to the graphics, the music makes you 'feel' the environment and it's characters in a way only music can. Pull all that together, and Coraline is a feat of extraordinary design and execution.
Before I wrap up, one note of caution. My wife and kids weren't nearly as impressed as I was. To them, it was very "meh". In thinking about their reactions as I write this review, I can see this is one of those "love it or hate it" movies due to the nature of the presentation. While I marvel at the technique behind the animation, others will find it clumsy or even sophomoric. Then take personal preference away from or towards the 'dark fairy tale' genre, and you may have a different opinion than I should you see the movie. All I can say, with absolute certainty, is that Coraline will take you on a romp through an imagination that is likely (at least in my case) far, far deeper and twisted than ours.
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Comments
Submitted by Deman267 on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 09:18
Submitted by BalekFekete on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 09:24
Submitted by Romanova on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 15:21
Submitted by Deman267 on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 11:07