Another Ho-Hum Derivative Fantasy

Rating: 3/10 (19 August 2009)

If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then "Coraline" delivers high praise to quite a few books and stories. However, the imitation here seems to be the result of a paucity of ideas on the writers' part. Examine almost any plot element and without much work you'll find the classic from which it was plucked. The well into which something evil is thrown - Tolkien. The door in the wall - Alice in Wonderland. The mice - Cinderella. The form the witch ultimately takes - Snow White. And on it goes.
I love movies, but this one was so dull I found myself getting up to work on a project in the next room. A movie has to be pretty bad to make me do that!
And how did Coraline know about the hidden well? She goes looking for it the day she and her family move into the house. Hmm . . . lazy writing.