Everything we did during Valentine's Day this year was different. It wasn't that we did anything extraordinary. Just non-traditional. So was the choice of movie that we decided to see. The little child in me, who enjoys animation like no other, kept bugging Alan to see Coraline. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have given in. But since it was "Love Day," he relented. (Hooray!)
Coraline, based on the award-winning children's classic by British author Neil Gaiman, is a story about a young girl's adventure. Having moved to a new home, she discovers a secret world where things were seemingly perfect. When this alternate world turns perilous, Coraline uses her determination, wit, and bravery to battle her way back home.
The 3-D movie was a product of a team of animators led by director Henry Selick, who likes "unusual and scary animation." Through their clever use of stop motion and puppetry, their hand-crafted miniature puppets, props, and sets vividly brought to life the words and the storytelling of author Neil Gaiman.
Right from the beginning of the movie, I was transfixed. Everything looked so real…like you can almost touch and feel everything you see. It’s as though you were physically there with Coraline. Unlike Wallace and Grommit films, the characters’ movements in this movie are much smoother and more true-to-life.
There were parts of this fantasy/adventure that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. It was surreal and at times absurd…but always enchanting. Also typical of Henry Selick’s animated films (think “A Nightmare Before Christmas”), the presentation of this fairytale nightmare was spellbinding even if at times dark and creepy.
Completing the overall effect was the music. They had children's choirs from Budapest and Nice providing vocals that enthralled you and transported you to this incredible and magical world.
Reading about the making of this film helped me to appreciate it even more. Would you believe it took 3 years of hand-making? Everything...the set, the costumes, the puppets...everything was handmade! Check out this video. Please excuse the 15 seconds of commercials. Click here to "meet the cast."
The official website's introduction describes it best:
“You’re about to enter a world where everything you’ll see has been created by hand…like a forest of cherry blossoms made from painted popcorn.”
8 comments:
Cool review. So what did that tunnel between worlds remind you of, Cue? I thought it resembled either a birth canal or lower intestine.
And it's a battle between daughter and mother (or faux mother), but would some other combination be more intense? Father and daughter? Father and son? Uncle and daughter? What d'ye think?
No Reservations: Philippines
Have you seen Spirited Away - also animated, similar story. I think you'd enjoy that one too.
-Queenie
Thanks, Noel! Funny you should ask about that tunnel. It reminded me of those bouncy things at the kiddie jungle gyms. It just seemed more foamy.
Nah, the conflict between father and daughter is too predictable.
Does this sound familiar?
Dad: You are not speaking to that boy ever again!
Daughter: I hate you, Daddy! (slams door!)
Queenie,
That's the title of the movie that I've been trying to remember. Yes! Loved "Spirited Away!" You're right. It had that same element of absurdness and it lingers in your mind way after watching it.
Noel,
I have yet to read your post on "No Reservations: Phils." But I have read your posts about your Korean adventure.
Thanks, Cue. You should post a comment--shows the blog is alive, more or less.
That father daughter thing--you sound like you're speaking from experience.
I imagine a mother-son thing would play like a silent film.
There's a whole genre of girls having dreamlike advetures--Pan's Labyrinth is a recent example; Labyrinth (David Bowie, Jennifer Connely) is an example from the '80s; also Neil Jordan's In the Company of Wolves. Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast is a lovely classic, one of the finest examples.
"bouncy things at the kiddie jungle gyms"
You're sooo wholesome, Cue.
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