This was an unfortunately uneven, rough film.
Firstly, the 3D is fantastic. Though there are some instances of cheap “shove-it-in-your-face” moments, the majority of it really expands the depth of the canvas, showcasing many wide open vistas or enormous rooms. The whole visual design is stunning and camera angles incredibly dynamic. It’s not as if it were a stage production with only a rear wall or perhaps two other flanking walls. You are given a full 360-degree view as Coraline explores.
Story was a oddly paced. The first 2/3 of the film consist of a series of character vignettes, exploring Coraline’s apartment and neighbors, contrasting between the normal and “other” world. Then at the end, it randomly turns into a The Legend of Zelda. Seriously, it’s like a video game, where she goes into various uniquely-themed “dungeons” figures out an environmental puzzle with the help of a newly acquired piece of equipment, defeats the boss, and then she earns one of three magical baubles that allows her to challenge the final villain…who is a multi-form boss, so the fight’s not quite over just when you think it is. Seriously.
No, Seriously.
Tone is creepy throughout. Everything feels “just-not-right.” I certainly feel it would be unsettling for younger tykes. I remember being so creeped out at Never-ending Story II as a kid that I spent quite a long portion of the movie hiding under the seat. Something I think parents would object to is the overt sexuality flaunted by the two actresses who live in the apartment downstairs. Littering the walls of their home are old posters for what seem to be punnily named burlesque shows. One of them has enormous breasts that fill the screen, and I think there was an old-lady puppet nipple poking through a sweater on the other. In a scene later when they put on a production, one plays a mermaid, and the big-bossomed one the Venus on the Half Shell, wearing less than a scantily clad woman on a beach. The background art also has your usual classical naked woman paintings, completely with exposed nipples. Sure, the movie is rated PG, but I wouldn’t rate this movie as a “mature story.” It still feels like it was aiming right children, and there didn’t seem to be much played to older minds.
Uh, Coraline is an annoying brat. I’m sure that’s an accurate portrayal of a young girl, but it does no favors in helping the audience like the heroine. However, the “what I care about right now is the most important thing in the world, ever” mentality of children is respectably represented.
Characters over- and broadly emote. And they narrate. Not only is the “show, don’t tell” rule broken, they over-do it.
The voice acting was passable, but I didn’t get lost in it. Best overall and likable character was the father, in both forms.
The dancing mice section was adorable.
Recommendation? If you can still catch it in 3D, do so. If not, I’d say wait for video.