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Movie/Book Rec: "Coraline"
Sunday, February 15th, 2009 04:39 pmWhat a satisfying experience "Coraline" was, an entirely creepy and endlessly inventive movie that pushed the limits of a "children's movie" and its PG rating, but never fell into sentimental or dull territory. What's especially wonderful about the movie is that it lead me to go out and buy the book, something that I've been meaning to do for some time now--and this an equally satisfying reading experience, but even more scary and rewarding than the movie. Movie!Coraline needed the help of an invented character to solve the problem, but book!Coraline solved everything by herself and worked to be brave in the face of incredible, palpable danger.
I also enjoyed the 3D part, too. I'd never actually been to a 3D movie before and was surprised at how the textures seemed richer than a regular film. I also enjoyed elements of the story coming "off" the screen, although it was a little hard to suspend my belief. The most beautiful 3D effect came after all the credits were over and was worth the extra money for the silly glasses.
( Both book and movie are great, but their good points were inversely proportional. Spoilers ahead. )
Short kvetchery: I know it is unrealistic of me to expect that there will be no children at a children's movie. However, children under the age of 8 should NOT see this film, and there were too many of them in the theater with us. I felt especially sorry for the little girl behind me who said, several times, "Mommy, I don't like this movie" only to be shushed by her mother. (This whole exchange was highly ironic, considering that one of Coraline's complaints in the movie and the book is that adults never listen to her.) On the whole, the kids were well-behaved and didn't make a huge fuss. But I wondered what would happen later, after the movie was over, when they got home. This is the kind of movie that would have bothered me as a child. (Especially the dolls--I never liked dolls as a little girl, and this movie would have sealed my hatred for them.) I understand that it's hard for parents to think of things to do with their kids sometimes, and especially on the long weekend. But I did want to stand up and say, "Really? This movie? With your kids? Are you sure? Because there's a good-looking National Geographic 3D Undersea movie next door that might be a better choice."
I also enjoyed the 3D part, too. I'd never actually been to a 3D movie before and was surprised at how the textures seemed richer than a regular film. I also enjoyed elements of the story coming "off" the screen, although it was a little hard to suspend my belief. The most beautiful 3D effect came after all the credits were over and was worth the extra money for the silly glasses.
( Both book and movie are great, but their good points were inversely proportional. Spoilers ahead. )
Short kvetchery: I know it is unrealistic of me to expect that there will be no children at a children's movie. However, children under the age of 8 should NOT see this film, and there were too many of them in the theater with us. I felt especially sorry for the little girl behind me who said, several times, "Mommy, I don't like this movie" only to be shushed by her mother. (This whole exchange was highly ironic, considering that one of Coraline's complaints in the movie and the book is that adults never listen to her.) On the whole, the kids were well-behaved and didn't make a huge fuss. But I wondered what would happen later, after the movie was over, when they got home. This is the kind of movie that would have bothered me as a child. (Especially the dolls--I never liked dolls as a little girl, and this movie would have sealed my hatred for them.) I understand that it's hard for parents to think of things to do with their kids sometimes, and especially on the long weekend. But I did want to stand up and say, "Really? This movie? With your kids? Are you sure? Because there's a good-looking National Geographic 3D Undersea movie next door that might be a better choice."
