Movie Review: Coraline (2009)

It looks great, but the story just doesn't deliver

I am on record as not being a fan of Henry Selick's Nightmare Before Christmas. Despite its 76 minute running time I actually can't watch more than 15 minutes of that film without falling asleep or losing interest outright. I haven't seen any of his other work and went into Coraline with limited expectations but high hopes. Visually the film delivers and seeing how it was shot in 3D it is a flawless presentation that doesn't rely on gimmicky "comin' atcha" gags to sell the 3D as much as it just feels part of the film. However, the 100 minute running time proves daunting as the first 80 minutes are of only a mild interest while the final moments are certainly an improvement, but not to an extent the film gains any real points.

Based on the book by Neil Gaiman (Stardust, MirrorMask) the story centers on Coraline Jones voiced by Dakota Fanning as she saunters around her new home being neglected by her mother and father. Left to her own devices she finds a magical portal that sends her into an alternate universe where she finds her "other" mother and father in a more loving and caring environment. However, there's a catch, they have buttons for eyes and on top of that things seem just a little too perfect in this "other" world, and they are. Every time Coraline falls asleep in the alternate universe she finds herself waking up in her real world bed as the portal to the other world closes. What Coraline doesn't realize is that the one time she doesn't wake up in her own bed will be the one time she wished she did.

The voice cast, characters, set design, animation and effects are all wonderful in Coraline, but it is simply the story that falls short as there really doesn't prove to be much of one. Coraline is bored, she finds the alternate universe, goes back a few times, trouble ensues, trouble solved, the end. It's so formulaic to the point you feel they left the actual story out completely. But this isn't to say the film is without entertainment altogether.

Mr. Bobinsky voiced by Ian McShane, an eccentric ex-acrobat and circus trainer to mice extraordinaire, is wildly entertaining and Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French who voice Miss Spink and Miss Forcible have a great musical number toward the end of the second act. And perhaps the best and most subtle addition to the story is the cat, which goes by the name Cat and is voiced by Keith David. In the other world Coraline can talk to the cat and it supplies some of the better moments of the film.

When it comes down to it Coraline's visuals are far more impressive than its lackluster story and that just isn't enough for me. Sure, cool set designs coupled with 3D and cute little characters is all fine, but if the story doesn't work there really isn't much use for visuals.