Although it lacks the originality and musical brilliance of the classic ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, (the film it will instantly be held up against, not merely for director Henry Selick, but similar themes and artistic style.) ‘Coraline’ is still a wonderful, magical piece of cinema.
The effect is compounded by the Real-D 3D technology which, while not perfected, adds great depth, focus and definition to everything on screen. The beauty and craftsmanship inherent in stop-motion animation can be savoured, and the visceral feelings and emotions are much more immersive. When Coraline looks down the tunnel to the Other World, it extends deep into the screen itself, and when invited to dinner by her perfect, attentive ‘Other-Mother’ the food is tangible and looks like its really there. As a blurring of fantasy and reality, both within the narrative and for the audience, the 3D works.
The effect is compounded by the Real-D 3D technology which, while not perfected, adds great depth, focus and definition to everything on screen. The beauty and craftsmanship inherent in stop-motion animation can be savoured, and the visceral feelings and emotions are much more immersive. When Coraline looks down the tunnel to the Other World, it extends deep into the screen itself, and when invited to dinner by her perfect, attentive ‘Other-Mother’ the food is tangible and looks like its really there. As a blurring of fantasy and reality, both within the narrative and for the audience, the 3D works.
The art is fantastic and the story classic, if a little predictable. (In fact the whole thing descends into a video-game like treasure hunt, complete with an “anti-okami” visual prize.) Ultimately though, there has not been a film as well made and engaging since last summer’s ‘Wall-E’, and if ‘Monsters Vs Aliens’ didn’t pop your new 3D cherry first, Coraline is an excellent film to do so with. (Released 8th May in UK)
*****
*****
See this if you liked:
The Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
Spirited Away (2004)
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
The Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
Spirited Away (2004)
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
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