Directed by Henry Selick
Starring Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, and Ian McShane
Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman
Critic Watch by Joe Romano
From the mind of director Andy Selick comes a new stop-motion animated movie based on the hit novel Coraline by Neil Gaiman. It has been almost universally recognized, if only for its novelty. It is one of the only movies to be made using stop motion in recent years, requiring nearly endless hours of work to produce. But was the final product worth all the trouble?
Lawrence Toppman of the Charlotte Observer praises Coraline as "visually imaginative," and commends the visual and aural elemnts of the film. He suggests it might even be a little too sophisticated for its target audience; kids and parents. He says the story does "borrow" some from other films like "The Matrix" and "Spirited Away," but in the end concludes that the film is both aurally and visually delightful.
Desson Thompson of The Washington Post also lauds Coraline for its beauty. He says that the combination of stop-motion combined with stereoscopic 3-D and high definiton computer effects render the movie "supercharged with in-your-face palpability." However, he criticizes the screenplay, saying that it underplayed the dramatic subject matter, leaving the true story too watered-down. He loved Dakota Fanning's voice acting, but says he wished the script was more engaging.
Paula Puig of USA Today was even less enthusiastic about the movie's writing, saying that its only merits come from visual appeal, while the story is unfocused and falters in parts. She also mentions that the macabre tone may be disturbing for younger viewers.
J.R. Jones agrees with Puig, saying that the story spends too much time meandering through introductions and spends too little time actually reaching the movie's home stretch. Jones also admits that the film's visual element is "wonderfully creepy."
On a lighter note, Lou Lumenick of the New York Post praises Coraline's story as "sophisticated" and "involving." He, too, praises the film's eye-popping 3-D visuals.
In general, Corailine received a very warm welcome from the critics. The story elements seem to be met with a mixed opinion, but the critics stand unanimous in their appreciation of the film's visual elements, identifying them as it's best selling point.
Desson Thompson of The Washington Post also lauds Coraline for its beauty. He says that the combination of stop-motion combined with stereoscopic 3-D and high definiton computer effects render the movie "supercharged with in-your-face palpability." However, he criticizes the screenplay, saying that it underplayed the dramatic subject matter, leaving the true story too watered-down. He loved Dakota Fanning's voice acting, but says he wished the script was more engaging.
Paula Puig of USA Today was even less enthusiastic about the movie's writing, saying that its only merits come from visual appeal, while the story is unfocused and falters in parts. She also mentions that the macabre tone may be disturbing for younger viewers.
J.R. Jones agrees with Puig, saying that the story spends too much time meandering through introductions and spends too little time actually reaching the movie's home stretch. Jones also admits that the film's visual element is "wonderfully creepy."
On a lighter note, Lou Lumenick of the New York Post praises Coraline's story as "sophisticated" and "involving." He, too, praises the film's eye-popping 3-D visuals.
In general, Corailine received a very warm welcome from the critics. The story elements seem to be met with a mixed opinion, but the critics stand unanimous in their appreciation of the film's visual elements, identifying them as it's best selling point.
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