Watching on Wednesday: Coraline

Title: Coraline
Type: Movie
Age Group: Youth +
Release Year: 2009
My Rating: 4/5

Coraline moves to a new home out in the country. A curious girl that can not sit still, she looks for something exciting to do. But how exciting can life get when you live out in the middle of nowhere with some odd neighbours?

Her mother decides to show her daughter something so she can stop being a bother. This something? A tiny door, hidden in their house. But there is only bricks on the other side, for now...

Later, Coraline opens the mysterious door again. This time, there is a tunnel leading her into a whole new world. This can be Coraline's dream come true... or her worst nightmare.

After reading the graphic novel version of Coraline, I was eager to watch the movie. Unfortunately, I had to watch it on an Ipod of a classmate's in between my accounting classes. I didn't receive the full effects to enjoy the movie (cause I was trying not to get caught by my teacher), but it was definitely amazing.

But Coraline appears to be a little too scary for some kids, for I heard that parents had to remove their children from the theatres before. Although this is a children's movie, it may not be suitable for youngsters who are easily frightened.

Hauntingly beautiful, this 3D movie takes the audience to a universe of wonder and magic. It makes you eager, scared, and rooting for the protagonist to win the dangerous game she plays against her "other mother". It is a unique tale with a warning, "Be careful what you wish for...".

Coraline by Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell

Title: Coraline
Author: Written by Neil Gaiman & Adapted by P. Craig Russell
Age Group: Tweens +
# of Pages: 186
My Rating: 4.5/5

Young Coraline has recently moved into a new home out in the country. With nothing to do during the last week of summer, she goes around exploring the grounds and hoping to find something exciting. In one of the rooms of her house, there is a door that is covered up with bricks with nothing on the other side. Or so she thought...

One day, Coraline decides to unlock the door and the brick wall has disappeared. Curious as a cat, she walks through the dark tunnel, wondering what she will find. It leads her back to her own home. Actually, her "other" home. There she has her other parents who have black buttons as their eyes. They give her much more than her real parents. Her other mother says she loves her very much and wants her to stay there to be a family.

But Coraline knows that she is evil. She tries to leave but her real parents ended up being kidnapped. She must play a dangerous game to save herself and her family or else she will be trapped in this alternate world... forever.

I have never read the book but I am sure that it is even more amazing compared to the graphic novel! Coraline is quite a dark story, considering that it is written for a younger audience. Never have I seen a young protagonist so clever and sly. She was calm when she was in front of the evil mother, making me wonder if I could be like that if I was in her situation! Neil Gaiman is a genius at weaving a tale of the strange and mysterious. This is definitely a recommended read for all ages! You will see why it has been turned into a movie. For fans of the Corpse Bride, you will definitely be pleased with Coraline.