I was going to read my comics tonight, but I’m too tired right now. So instead, I’m gonna talk about a movie.
Coraline
I saw it last night in 3D. I was a little worried and pretty sceptical because I know it was a novel first and after seeing those Sandman: Dream Hunters comics, I was a little worried that it wouldn’t translate well between the media. Luckily, though, Henry Selick knows what he’s doing and the movie definitely felt like the story belonged in the movie. It was masterfully done.
Side note: Henry Selick did the movie. Tim Burton did not have anything to do with it as far as I’m aware. All he did what write Nightmare Before Christmas. Henry Selick is the guy responsible for the movie part and this movie. One more time, Henry Selick.
Back to the movie. It was wonderfully done. I don’t need to get into the plot because, as it is a children’s horror movie, I shouldn’t say too much lest the surprises be spoiled by those who like them. That said, it is in the very rare genre of children’s horror. In an age where no one wants to expose their children to anything even mildly frightening, this movie is great to scare the kids. I kept wondering if it really was a children’s movie due to some genuinely chilling sequences with the Other Mother. Or anything in the other home with the people with buttons for eyes. There’s something about not having real eyes that creeped me right out.
There’s some rather mature themes in here too. Wybie, short for Why Born, is really disturbing in both universes. In one, he’s a very…. off child. Acts like a kid who knows no one wants him but hopes someone will want him one day. In the other, he’s an unwilling puppet in much the same manner wanting to protect the next victim. It’s rather delightful.
And the cat. And, well, just about everything about the characterization was nicely done. But Wybie stuck with me alongside Coraline. Coraline was a great main character. SHe was just like a real little girl, if a little more clever, and just a little bratty with that good righteousness streak that makes a horror movie heroine make it out alive and victorious at the end. Well, maybe not that clever.
It does follow along with traditional children story format, though. By that, I mean it follows the rule of three over and over again. Three events in one world, three trials mirroring it, three parts to the riddle. It was done in threes. Three characters with growing levels of helpfulness based on the time of their introduction. Three ghosts. Not that there’s anything bad about it, it just struck me as odd afterwards just how well the rule of three played out.
And while the story is excellent (Neil Gaiman fan here, though, so I may be a little biased), I am left with one last little detail that I can’t remember the resolution to. What happened to Little Me? The Coraline doll seems to have gone missing without any resolution to that storyline. I doubt it will lead to a sequel, but it is bothering me now. Did that part wrap up without my remembering? I don’t think they actually said what happened to the doll, but if anyone goes to see the movie and catches what happens with it, please do tell me.
And I have to talk about the 3D. I know it’s what everyone else is already talking about, but I don’t watch 3D much. And this one didn’t use it to have things pup up at me. Instead, it was more about demonstrating the atmosphere and just how much was or wasn’t there. How things moved in the space. How they came out and then how they went away. There might have been one or two pop out to scare and shock moments, but most of it was beautifully done to just draw the audience in.
In short, go see the movie. Pay the extra whatever to get the glasses too, because it’s some of the most stunning 3D work you’ll ever see. And bring your kids. Because, while it will scare them, it was a movie that’s supposed to scare them. And that scene with the old woman wearing less than her underwear (Not naked, but OH MY GOD I laughed so hard as I reminded myself this was a children’s movie) will scar their young psyche good.
