Coraline
A high-definition stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D – with spectacular CG effects, based on Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book. A spine-tingling tale about a curious girl (Dakota Fanning) who unlocks a mysterious door in her family’s new home and enters into an adventure in a parallel reality.
On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life, only much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother (Teri Hatcher)) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.
Edgy graphics, a fresh palate and great voice-over work from Fanning, Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Ian McShane make Coraline a cut above other stop action fare, but some scenes may be too scary for the wee ones. Although the film is playing in conventional 2-D theaters, catch it in 3-D if you can. (Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min. MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, scary images, some language and suggestive humor.)
Big Fat Rating: ★★★
