Jason KingCoraline in 3D ($11-)
August 11th 2009 09:01
:
FROM THE MAKERS OF THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
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Coraline in 3D ($11-)
The next wonderful animation released in 3D is upon us. Meet Coraline or also named Coraline and The Secret Door based on the children's fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman. This is the longest stop motion film ever made coming in at 1hr and 40min. It is voiced by Dakota Fanning, Terry Hatcher and John Hodgman (better known as the humanised PC in the Mac ads).
An 11-year-old girl named Coraline (voice of Dakota Fanning) and her parents move into a new house. It is perpetually rainy and misty, and Coraline (whose loving but distracted parents are always too busy to spend time with her) never gets the chance to play outside.
Late one evening whilst investigating a strange noise, she comes across mysterious passage way in their sitting room that leads to...well, a mirror world of the one she lives in. But one in which her parents give her all the attention she wants and everything is just brighter and happier. Except for the fact that people in this mirror world have buttons for eyes.
Of course everything isn't as it seems, and it soon becomes clear that Coraline's "other" mother is a malevolent creature who wants her to stay forever in this bizarre mirror world.
The amount of effort put in this film is phenomonal - it took 3 1/2 years to make, over 130 sets were built across 52 different stages at the studios; spanning 183,000 square feet, the 52 different stages where the most ever deployed for a stop-motion animated feature. To construct 1 puppet of Coraline, 10 individuals had to work 3-4 months and for the character of Coraline, there were 28 different puppets of varying sizes; the main Coraline puppet stands 9.5 inches high. Add to this that at one point in the movie, Coraline shows 16 different expressions in a span of 35 seconds and there are a total of 207,336 possible face combinations for Coraline and you can fathom the work that went into this film.
The film is visually stunning and is a psychadelic version of Nightmare Before Christmas with wonderful bright and zany characters and fantastic scenes but to be honest I felt little for the film. I found the story was overly predictable and plodded along. Coraline has to do this to get this to further that and while it was visually impressive it didn't do much for me mindwise. I am unsure how the film will go at the box office because it is way to dark for children to see as it's more horror than fantasy. It is also too childlike for adults to be impressed besides the visual splendour and great 3D effects. I think A NIghtmare Before Christmas is one of the most brilliant films ever made and to me is timeless and this matched it visually but storywise fell flat. I left disappointed and wanting more out of the characters.
I never even realised it was Dakota Fanning voicing Coraline until the credits started - she is ok - nothing special but Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane as Mr B are both brilliant. I also enjoyed the two old ladies - they had some funny parts and their stage show is amazing.
I am unsure if you will like this but can guarantee it looks amazing. Out now in 35mm film and 3D at selected cinemas. Worth $11-
The next wonderful animation released in 3D is upon us. Meet Coraline or also named Coraline and The Secret Door based on the children's fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman. This is the longest stop motion film ever made coming in at 1hr and 40min. It is voiced by Dakota Fanning, Terry Hatcher and John Hodgman (better known as the humanised PC in the Mac ads).
An 11-year-old girl named Coraline (voice of Dakota Fanning) and her parents move into a new house. It is perpetually rainy and misty, and Coraline (whose loving but distracted parents are always too busy to spend time with her) never gets the chance to play outside.
Late one evening whilst investigating a strange noise, she comes across mysterious passage way in their sitting room that leads to...well, a mirror world of the one she lives in. But one in which her parents give her all the attention she wants and everything is just brighter and happier. Except for the fact that people in this mirror world have buttons for eyes.
Of course everything isn't as it seems, and it soon becomes clear that Coraline's "other" mother is a malevolent creature who wants her to stay forever in this bizarre mirror world.
The amount of effort put in this film is phenomonal - it took 3 1/2 years to make, over 130 sets were built across 52 different stages at the studios; spanning 183,000 square feet, the 52 different stages where the most ever deployed for a stop-motion animated feature. To construct 1 puppet of Coraline, 10 individuals had to work 3-4 months and for the character of Coraline, there were 28 different puppets of varying sizes; the main Coraline puppet stands 9.5 inches high. Add to this that at one point in the movie, Coraline shows 16 different expressions in a span of 35 seconds and there are a total of 207,336 possible face combinations for Coraline and you can fathom the work that went into this film.
The film is visually stunning and is a psychadelic version of Nightmare Before Christmas with wonderful bright and zany characters and fantastic scenes but to be honest I felt little for the film. I found the story was overly predictable and plodded along. Coraline has to do this to get this to further that and while it was visually impressive it didn't do much for me mindwise. I am unsure how the film will go at the box office because it is way to dark for children to see as it's more horror than fantasy. It is also too childlike for adults to be impressed besides the visual splendour and great 3D effects. I think A NIghtmare Before Christmas is one of the most brilliant films ever made and to me is timeless and this matched it visually but storywise fell flat. I left disappointed and wanting more out of the characters.
I never even realised it was Dakota Fanning voicing Coraline until the credits started - she is ok - nothing special but Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane as Mr B are both brilliant. I also enjoyed the two old ladies - they had some funny parts and their stage show is amazing.
I am unsure if you will like this but can guarantee it looks amazing. Out now in 35mm film and 3D at selected cinemas. Worth $11-
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Jason King
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I did find it too directed for children but then too scary to take children to.
It seems the rest of the world worships it though - suss out Rotten Tomatoes - it gets an 88% vote - but I think they were all suckered in by the visuals.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
A Nightmare Before Christmas is very good, although I haven't seen it in years, sounds like one of your pet loves - and we all know how Jason King feels about those - and comparing Coraline to it is of course expected since its the same director and a similar animated technique. Still, Neil Gaiman's phantasy concepts are so cool and weird.
French and Saunders were hilarious as Forcible and Spink, and I loved David Keith's dulcet tones as the cat.
I really liked how the movie's visuals and storytelling doesn't pander to children, and bridges new ground, just as Pixar's The Incredibles did.
Comment by Jason King
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The atmosphere and tone is present in pretty much all his films - although they changed this film just before shooting - it was meant to be a gothic musical similar to the others - They Might Be Giants recorded all the songs for the film but they only used the one with the "other" father singing at the piano.
I did forget to mention how much I loved the cat and OMG - I loved the Incredibles - this is two things we have agreed on so far - haha
Comment by Bryn
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Yeah, I read about it being a musical first. Thank God they ditched that idea. I can't stand musicals for the most part.
Comment by Jason King
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I think the musical is what made Nightmare Before Xmas so awesome. It wasn't chorus line and all smiles - it was more poetic and touched the heart.
You should hire that one out again and this reminds me I need to buy it on Blu Ray - they start 3D screenings of it every November at George St GU - the 3D is amazing in it.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Creature Comforts is a television show where claymated animals are interviewed about everyday things and talk like humans. It's hilarious. I'm sure you can hire it.
Comment by Bryn
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Creature Comforts
Comment by Jason King
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I will suss out the local DVD store for the Creature Comforts stuff or is it an ABC thing? I have one of them next to my work - will suss there too.
I was never a fan when I was young but just love it now - especially for the effort involved and how they make it work.
Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Jason King
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Have you seen it yet? You may enjoy it although it's more horror than comical animation.