Coraline – DVD Review

Film, Reviews

coraline

The Nightmare Before Christmas has long been one of my favorite films and it is for many reasons. The computer generated imagery along with the claymation animated figurines and stop-motion animations makes for a unique and different world that can take viewers into an entirely new place. Let’s not forget the awesome characters that stuck out like sore thumbs but seemed to fit in just fine in Halloween Town. Oh and then there was the phenomenal musical score and songs that stick in my head to this very day and I could probably sing every single one of them word for one. “Kidnap the Sandy Claws, lock him up real tight. Throw away the key and then turn off all the lights.” Sorry, sorry but I just can’t help it. Well now it is time to see if a little girl named Coraline can generate the same type of excitement by encompassing a world very similar to the one Tim Burton created many years ago.

Coraline Jones is a rather misunderstood little girl that has recently moved into a new apartment with her parents, but just can’t seem to get adjusted to her different surroundings. It doesn’t help in the least bit that her parents totally ignore her when they are writing their new gardening catalogs. Lonely and looking for a little entertainment, Coraline explores her new place just hoping to find anything to do, and eventually she does. Stumbling across a strange and obscure little door, Coraline opens it and finds something that she never would have expected to be on the other side…her apartment.

Upon traveling into it, she soon realizes that her parents are there but not exactly acting like themselves. This second version of her parents give her all the love and attention that any child would long for. Never wanting to leave this great existence turns into a big problem for young Coraline though when she realizes that things aren’t exactly as they appear to be. They’re actually a lot worse and are much more horrible than the neglect-showering parents on the other side of the door. Coraline is in deep trouble and must figure some way out of this so-called imaginary world before she is trapped forever.

Here is one of those films that comes across as a somewhat morbid children’s film by watching the trailers, but it is actually much more and a lot deeper then one would come to expect. First of all it is a beautiful film that brings together awesome animation along with unforgettable characters and fantastic music that sets the mood brilliantly. It has taken steps from Burton’s Nightmare and incorporated them flawlessly making this another one of those films that just sucks you in and is able to keep your attention simply by sight and sound. Little did I realize though that there would be so much more to Coraline than what has already been thrown upon the table.

What truly captivated me with Coraline is the storyline of the film that isn’t necessarily very deep but it is one that everyone can associate with. Adults will easily remember the days when they were little (or even now) and wished for something to happen that they probably knew wasn’t the best thing to hope for. Perhaps they wanted a really expensive toy or wanted a new sibling or wished their parents would disappear or hated school so much that they wanted to move…but what happened if those things really happened?

What was given up to get that expensive toy?

What happens to you now that a new baby is in the house?

Where exactly did your parents go?

What do you do now that you have to move and go to a new school while leaving all your friends behind?

Coraline isn’t a little girl that naturally wants her life to change but it is obvious that she doesn’t like her current living situation. So not only does she use her mind to think of the way things would be better but she uses her vivid imagination to figure out how things can be made better just by using what is before her. It is a life lesson that everyone can learn from just by realizing that what they are given in life isn’t necessarily a bad situation, but can be made better just by determining how to make the most of it. Isn’t it truly amazing how we often learn things from children even if they aren’t real?

Coraline is one of the few “flipper” discs still being released but that is so that one side can include the 2D version of the film while the opposite contains the 3D version. Four pairs of glasses are included and it is obvious that this was a film intended to be seen in 3D. Both versions though come through nicely with great colors that never are too dark and are a lot of fun to watch. My one complaint may come with the 3D version that gets a bit hard to watch at times but that could be because of the cheesy red-and-blue lens cardboard glasses you get as opposed to the plastic sunglass type you get in theatres.

The film is heard in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and it is absolutely brilliant making most of the scenes so much better than they already are. Coraline has a great musical score that really brings the film to life without ever overpowering the sound effects or dialogue which can all be heard clearly.

Audio Commentary – Director Henry Selick sits alone for the whole film and does a great job of talking about every single thing involved in the making of the film and about it. He discusses the storyline, the animation, the voice acting, and all the details while giving up tons of information in a lively manner. Oddly enough, composer Bruno Coulais joins in right at the end of the film and through the credits only. Found that really strange.


The trailers had shown me a lot when this film was close to being released in theatres, but I had no idea just how much it would really sink in after watching it. Kind of makes me wish now that it had been a film I caught on the big screen and was able to check out in 3D. But no matter what, Coraline is a beautiful film both visually and storyline wise that will make your eyes dance with excitement and your mind fill with wonder and imagination. If you’re one of those that doesn’t really care for special features then you need to go with this bare bones version because all you get is an audio commentary. It is a very good commentary track, but there’s nothing else to be had. A two-disc version is also available but a little research shows that not that much is to be found there either. Take the time to check out Coraline though because it will really make your mind trip and not in an illegal type of way either.


Universal presents Coraline. Directed by: Henry Selick. Starring (voices): Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Ian McShane. Written by: Neil Gaiman & Henry Selick. Running time: 100 minutes. Rating: PG. Released on DVD: July 21, 2009. Available at Amazon.com