Nightmare Before Christmas was so much better.
Curious young Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) unlocks a door in her family’s home and is transported to a universe that strangely resembles her own — only better. But when her Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) doesn’t want Coraline to return to reality, our heroine must summon an amazing amount of courage to go home and save her family.
So Coraline is another stop-motion pick written & directed by Henry Selick, the same dude who did Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and the legendary Monkey Bone. But to be honest, this guy should just stop where he’s goin before he destroys his legend.
The film has some great stop-motion visuals. There is a lot of things done with the camera, that I can tell took a lot of effort, and it looks good as it keeps up with the story and the action. Almost all the detail is there, I just wish the story was.
I feel like kids that went into this, probably couldn’t go to sleep until they were 13. I mean this is some freaky stuff, that is just bound to have you sleep with a night-light on for awhile. With all of the implied and overt threats of violence of an uncensored Grimm’s Tale, Coraline fails to entertain as a family film while falling flat on its face as a thriller. Would someone please explain to me the purpose an extended burlesque routine by a nearly naked lady in a film targeting CHILDREN?
The problem with this movie is not just its rating, but the story itself. The film starts out incredibly slow, and very dark and creepy. And I don’t mind if that was the boat they were trying to go for, however, there was barely any happy moments in this film. Everything was dark, and odd, and it was just all slow.
The cast is alright here. Dakota Fanning is good as Coraline, as she adds a lot more sas onto her character than you would expect. Teri Hatcher is good here too, as the mom, who is really creepy, especially when she’s being a bitch. But the reason I’m giving this movie bonus points, is because, Keith David is in this. I love him, he’s the man. Nuff said.
Consensus: Coraline may look good, but it’s stretch of the PG rating, and deep, dark story, just adds on worse to the slow pace.
3.5/10=SomeOleBullShitt!!!!
Dan the Man's Movie Reviews 
Hello!
You left a comment on my blog.
I totally do agree that Nightmare before Christmas is an awesome movie, but isn’t it possible that I have a different perspective than you? No offense.
Personally, I thought Coraline was good. Not the kind I would constantly go back and re-watch it but it was good. And they did say for 13+ just so you know. I must agree the movie was scary for some but have you read the book yet? It is way scarier and I have to admit I like the book better. The plot here was quite awkward.
I hope I didn’t offense you. I only want to give you a reply. What I really like about the movie is the process of making it. It interested me.
TL
Haha don’t worry at all this doesn’t offend me, I’m used to this. I see what your saying I never read the books so I wouldn’t know too much about the original source.
I like your blog though 😀 Good reviews! Topnotch!
I really liked the story of this film a lot. It had a good dark fairy tale quality to it, which I personally love. I don’t know if you’ve read any of Grimm’s Fairy Tales lately, but there’s some messed up stuff in those stories. I believe Coraline is in that vein and I enjoyed it a lot.
Yeah, I know a lot of people enjoyed this over me, but I hear what your saying.
Personally, I loved the movie but you have a point about some of the material possibly not quite right for kids. Even I got freaked out in some scenes (I got really into it), especially when Coraline found her friend with button eyes and the 3 tests she had to experience. But even though the overall project may be too dark for smaller kids, I do give it kudos for its level of imagination.
I just thought that was too dark for kids, and I just didn’t have any fun with it all.
That’s really weird. I thought coraline was a good movie. I’m going to watch it with my sister today (gosh we’re really slow with movies) though I already saw half of the movie a few months ago.
I must say, the plot brings me back to those rebellious days. I’m not sure if I’ve seen the half-naked girl yet, maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention. I’ll watch out for it.
Anyways, thanks for sharing this review. :3
~ breisa
Yeah, go ahead and give it a try. Just because I didn’t like it, doesn’t mean you won’t.
lol…
I just saw the semi naked woman! XD
Gawd her boobies were so big and saggy!
I kept lolling.
~breisa
“But to be honest, this guy should just stop where he’s goin before he destroys his legend” BOOM!!! HEADSHOT! Hit it on the head there dude.
Haha you know it man!