Genuinely creepy

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2018)

Henry Selick's animated rendition of Neil Gaiman's novel spins the tale of a young girl who finds a 'better' version of her own world after passing through a mysterious passageway in the wall of her new home but, as the posters warn "Be careful what you wish for". The stop-action animation is excellent and the figures (especially Coraline), though not realist depictions of people, have tremendous personality and appeal. The open scene, the methodical deconstruction of one of the mysterious dolls that populate the story, is creepy almost to the point of disturbing. Danny Elfman's score is perfect for the film and the voice talent, especially Dakota Fanning's Coraline, is great. One of my favorite of the 'new wave' of animated films, along with Selick's equally striking "The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). All in all: a fun, if slightly unsettling, 'late night in a dark room' movie.