Now I know what you're thinking. This movie has been in the video store for months now. First of all why do they still call it a video store? With the many format changes over the years I suppose they should call them DVD stores, or Blu Ray stores... Secondly I have kids, a job, and a busy life so get off my back!
So "CORALINE" is animated stop-motion 3-D fantasy film based on Neil Gaiman's 2002 novel of the same name. Visually it's good, Not great! I enjoyed the stop motion animation very much. I could see Tim Burton's touch on it which I did like. I have to say this is where my good time ended. The 3D was sub par, and fell victim to the usual 3D gimmicks and honestly half way through the movie (While bored) I forgot that it was even a 3D film.
The story goes: Coraline Jones voiced by Dakota Fanning and her parents, Mel and Charlie Jones voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hogdman leave their nice lives in Michigan and move into the Pink Palace Apartments in Ashland, Oregon. I have to say I didn't realize this while watching the film. Except for the constant rain this was my only clue. Until Wikipedia told me I had no idea!
Coraline and her family shares residence with retired actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible (Who are funny I must admit), and retired Russian circus performer Mr. Bobinsky. Making the domicile a who's who of retired boring people.
Now the story, the director, and the visuals had so much potential. I honestly do not, and can not figure out why I didn't like it. I think the thing that bugged me the most was I didn't care what happened to any of the people living in the story. Without sympathy, empathy, love, or hate for any of the people on the screen I found myself thinking about my shopping list, my house and what I need to do next, and God forbid even what I needed to get done at work the next day! Apathy sucks!
Now this is very sad for me, because I love Tim Burton and Henry Selick. I loved "THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS" and was super excited to see this film. Just ask my wife! She thought I was a little touched in my noodle as I kept a countdown on when it was released on video (There's that antiquated format term again). Like I said before, I have a busy life so we didn't see it on the big screen. Sadly I have to say I am glad I didn't...
After reading other reviews, and even seeing that it received an 88% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes I thought myself crazy. After watching it a second time and wasting another $3.79 I am convinced I just did not like it. Rotten Tomatoes, Leonard Maltin, the Dallas Morning News, the New York Times, Globe and Mail, and the Toronto Star can suck it! Best 3D movie ever? Pffffffftttt, I think not! If you want to see a great 3D film go see "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
Very lively review, COE! Maybe it should keep the video store name because they also rent video games, at least Blockerbuster does.
ReplyDeleteMy son saw it at the theater when it was out and said it was good, but I honestly don't remember him going on and on about it, either. Maybe if you would have seen it BEFORE A Christmas Carol?
Thanks for the review COE. Of course DVD releases are good. Post anything, and feel free to use the space for anything concerning movies. I know time is limited, but it's great when people post.
ReplyDeleteNow, a word about 'Coraline.' I love this movie. I saw this film in the theaters I sat transfixed and amazed, I was entranced from the needle breaking through the screen.
Now I don't remember seeing much of anything in 3D since Captain EO, but I loved the effect in this film. One barely even notices it at first, but when Coraline goes to the othworld, first with the portal elongating it captures the dreamlike feeling of otherworldliness.
I appreciated the pace and the tone. It took time to build without the frenetic action that takes over most kids' films. And the tone is decidedly creepy. The first scene with WyBe establishes that Coraline is not, as Ebert noted in his review, Pippi Longstocking. Nor is she Pollyanna. The animators give her a marvelous scowl, with her lower lip pushed to the side of the upper one. She may not be your average bundle of sweetness, but I identified with her, and continued to as it became increasingly clear how incredibly lonely she was. Her parents are always hunched over computers, much like I am right now, no time to chat; gotta work.
The other world, as I said, is enhanced in 3D, with more vibrant colors. I thought the 3D was classy, and not overly showy, but I was also really absorbed in the plot, and the general mood. It's practically David Lynch for kids, with some freakish Cronenberg/Naked Lunch style furniture at the end. An unsettling atmosphere hangs of the domestic bliss of the other world, and like in Pinocchio, we quickly learn that if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.
But what a mesmerizing phantasmagoria. I liked the sisters doing a tapeze act while reciting Hamlet, 'What a piece of work is man...' but the piece de resistance for me had to be the mice. I was no longer watching a movie at that point, I was watching a magical man enchanting me with dancing mice. I became a child again at this moment, feelng as though I was seeing something I had never seen before.
Also, I like Ashland, in the one scene where they go to town you catch theatre masques and Olde English banners in the backround. Much of the film was made in Oregon at Laika studios.
Okay that's more than a word, but just wanted to explain why I liked it. Peace.
Ajai,
ReplyDeleteI really wish I liked this film. I looked so foward to it. I was excited when I heard about it. I was excited when I saw teaser trailers.
I missed it on the big screen and was upset that I did.
I love Burton and Selick and was way excited to see it when it was released on DVD. Hell, I was even geeked that it was 3D.
There really shouldn't be a reason that I didn't like it. My only explaination is I am crazy, and maybe I just had too much on my mind. Then again the reason I love movies so much is because I can escape when I am have a lot on my mind...
Go figure. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome review of the review by the way! Word for the day is, phantasmagoria! Nice work!
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