Release: Now available on DVD
Duration: 100 minutes
Rating: PG (menacing themes and scary scenes)

Following in the tradition of Alice in Wonderland and Pan’s Labyrinth, Coraline stars Dakota Fanning as the titular character, an adventurous and curious girl who finds an idealised version of her dull home (complete with alternative versions of her parents), but it soon emerges that this alternate world has some deadly and sinister secrets of its own.

This stop-motion animated film is based on the bestselling novel by inventive British novelist Neil Gaiman (Stardust, Sandman and Anansi Boys) and was brought to the screen by writer-director Henry Selick, whose other projects include The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach.

Coraline features the right amount of humour, horror and heart that allows it to excel above other animated films. Selick’s adaptation is a visual treat that beautifully mixes genres such as adventure, horror, fantasy and comedy. From atop a flying pray mantis, Coraline’s Other Father shows her that their garden is actually a portrait of Coraline herself in a sequence that is simply amazing. Another visual treat is when mice perform in a mini circus. Now that may not have sounded that visually enticing, (I mean how would a bunch of rodents seem beautiful?), but it shows the film’s impressive force which can make anything breathtaking.

As voiced by Fanning, Coraline is gutsy, self centred and feisty. Teri Hatcher also impresses as the Other Mother. Though it is just a vocal performance, she immerses herself completely in her dual roles. She particularly shines as the Other Mother takes an evil and hellish turn, frightening for children and parents alike. The other performers excel as well, including Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Ian McShane.

Unfortunately, Coraline’s parents were clichéd and dull characters, typical work-driven parents without much room for depth or interest. Coraline, however, is nicely written. She feels new and fresh and it is nice to see a child protagonist who is not overly likeable or endearing.

Perhaps if Mr. Selick had enlisted Nightmare writer Caroline Thompson onto the project, we may have had a five starrer on our hands. But that is the nittiest of nit picks in what is easily the best kids film of ’09 so far.

Jonathan Trakas and Jack Savige