Movies: Coraline

Title: Coraline
Director: Henry Selick
Writer: Henry Selick, based on the book by Neil Gaiman
Released: Feb., 2009
Rated: PG
Awards: Nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best animated film, won a San Francisco Film Critics Circle award for best animated film.
Interest Level: 8 and up
Plot Summary: Coraline is a young girl who recently moved to Oregon with her parents and finds herself living in an old apartment building with not much to keep herself entertained. The Pink Palace apartments includes a house full of strange neighbors but the only other child is the grandson of the landlord, a young boy Wybie. Coraline's parents are both very busy working on a new catalog for work and Coraline is annoyed that they aren't able to spend more time with her. In an attempt to get Coraline to leave them alone, Coraline's parents encourage her to explore the house. While exploring the house Coraline finds a small door that has been covered over and locked. Coraline finds the the key but when she opens the door she discovers that the entry way has been bricked up. At night Coraline is drawn to the door again and when she opens the door it is no longer bricked up and instead leads to a secret passage way to another world. This world is very much like Coraline's world but everything is colorful and fun and Coraline's parents, or her "other parents' as they call themselves are attentive and fun but they have buttons for eyes. While this other world is what Coraline has been wishing for there is something wrong and she can't place what it is. For one thing, the cat from her world can talk in the other world and Coraline's other mother seems to be hiding a secret, but what could it be?
Review: The movie adaptation of Coraline is done in stunning claymation. The movie, like the original story has a dark undertone that is just scary enough for a tween but not too frightening. The director also directed the Nightmare Before Christmas which has a very similar dark feel. Coraline is a strong lead who has to fight against evil in order to save her family from the evil "other mother'. The story builds to a climatic conclusion that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. I enjoy the movies dark fantasy feel that is present in Neil Gaiman's book. The quirky neighbors are both hilarious and odd, I especially enjoy the circus performing rats.
Annotation: Coraline moves to a new home and soon discovers a door to another world. But things are not as good as they seem and soon Coraline will learn there is no place like home.
Why for tweens? The movie is based of the very popular book by Neil Gaiman. Tweens will enjoy the animation as well that the scary storyline. The movie is also humorous with and element of fantasy and mystery. The tweens will also be drawn to Coraline as a heroine. She is stubborn and full of attitude but when her parents are kidnapped Coraline shows great bravery and strength to save her parents.