A wonderfully whimsical ly cute feast for the eyes with a somewhat touching message

Rating: 8/10 (21 February 2009)

There comes a time (well MANY times really) in a percosious tween's life when he or she feels lonely, bored, ignored or all-of-the-above.
"Why don't my parents listen to me?" "Why can't I ever get anything want?" Sometimes we just wish our lives were full of magic, joy and indulgent parents...That's the perfect life! Or is it? The lush, exuberant stop-motion vehicle "Coraline" asks these questions, telling a tale of a wayward bored blue-haired little girl whose emotionally-distant preoccupied parents move into a dreary seemly-ordinary ancient house, that is a tunnel to an alternate world, discovered by the disenchanted girl.
There is never a dull moment in this film....The colors & animation techniques pop right off the screen (and I didn't even SEE this in 3-D! I doubt there's much of a difference) I don't know if it's too late for this to be an Oscar-contender but it definitely deserves a nod.
Now does this has any "re-watchability" appeal?...
I'm not quite sure; time will tell.
But I enjoyed myself in the theaters & for a family or just an animation fanantic such as myself this is a must-see.
However, you may want to keep the very "small" and/or "sensetive" children home with the babysitter, because there are many parts (including the climax) that would probably frighten kids under those 2 categories...
Also a very "cheeky" (and flabby) scene involving the two resident eccentric retired burlesque/circus performers of the Pink Palace may be inappropriate as well.
Other than that, the film is perfectly innocent and you just might walk away appreciating your "real" parents & kids more than you did before walking in the theatre.