Coraline

Went to see Coraline Saturday night for the 2nd time. Still haven't managed to catch it in 3D yet, but I suppose there's still time. The animation in this movie is amazing. I loved, loved, loved it. And will undoubtedly own it once it's released on dvd. I loved the audience response last night, too--the kids were utterly silent for the most part, totally caught up in the film. And two little boys insisted on staying through the credits. Here's a trailer, in case you've missed it:




(BTW, I once again made the mistake of reading YouTube comments. They both amuse and irritate me no end. For the record, this is NOT a movie by Tim Burton. It is a movie by Henry Selick. Written for the screen and directed by Selick, actually. And yes, he worked on Nightmare Before Christmas. He was the director whereas Burton was the writer. Working on a movie together does not make Mr. Burton and Mr. Selick the same person. And, last I checked, Neil Gaiman was NOT a Scientologist. Nor is he trying to brainwash viewers to the Scientologist point of view. YMMV. And actually...this IS a movie for children. Just because a film is creepy and disturbing doesn't mean it's inappropriate for kids. Give kids some credit--they know how to appreciate both. I really must avoid the comments in the future. I can feel my blood pressure creeping ever-skyward.)

As much as I love this film, I do have a few quibbles with the liberties they've taken with the original source material. Spoilers abound below for both the book and movie, so consider yourselves warned...highlight over the text to read as per Wilma's most excellent suggestion! (And if anyone reading this knows how to hide text below a cut in blogger, please sing out. Help files only apply to "classic templates." Oh, LiveJournal, I miss you so...)

I don't mind that they've turned an independent and spirited young British girl into an independent, spirited, blue-haired young girl from Michigan who seems to have been transplanted to Ashland, Oregon. (Ashland?! That was the only explanation I could come up with for the folks running about in Shakespearean garb. Other thoughts?) I love the blue hair, actually. And the American setting bothered me not a bit. Though I missed the Frog wellingtons.

The insertion of spying dolls was interesting and while it had nothing to do with the book, I loved their look. (I want to make a Coraline of my very own.) The creation scene of Coraline's "Little Me" at the beginning was deliciously creepy and did a lovely job of setting the tone for the rest of the film.

I missed the rats' musical numbers from the book, but was delighed to discover that the Other Father sings. (And yes, that IS They Might Be Giants performing the number. Heee!!!)

Here are my main problems with the film version: I was very surprised and disappointed by the introduction of an original character--Wybie Lovat. Don't get me wrong, I like Wybie--he was good for comic relief and the provision of a very timely rescue. But that's what bothers me--the fact that Coraline NEEDED to be rescued.

Coraline of the book was a very courageous and determined young lady who did what needed doing (with a little help from a curmudgeonly cat)on her own and succeeded. That's a very powerful message for children, and it was diluted in the film. In fact, my most favorite line in the book was missing completely from the movie: "Because when you're scared but you still do it anyway, that's brave." That's a message that children (and grownups, too) need to hear.

I was disappointed by the final well scene in the movie. In the book, Coraline schemes and builds a trap for the Other Mother's right hand and disposes of it quite...handily. She shows smarts & courage. In the movie, she's pretty much on the run from the hand and is rescued at the last minute by Wybie and his dirtbike. They don't seem to have an actual plan for the hand's disposal--the well's proximity dictates their actions, not any actual forethought or planning. In short, movie Coraline is less brave, less independent, and less smart. And that just makes me mad.

All of the above being said...I still think you should go see it. And while you're at it, check out the book, too. Or the audio, read by Neil with music by the Gothic Archies , or the amazing graphic novel with illustrations by P. Craig Russell. You won't be sorry you did.