Kids will be frightened out of their wits, ie., they will LOVE IT! Superb storytelling.

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2009)

Right from the opening credits, you know you are in for a visual animation treat which uses the same stop motion capture animation technique as in Nightmare Before Christmas.
But it is the storytelling and creepy tones of the film that sets this apart from other children's animated films. I would say the tone of this film is quite similar to the great Miyazaki films such as Spirited Away. And if I was to make a comparison to an American animated film then I suppose the superb Monster House would come closest. There are plenty of humour but played out in an innocently naturalistic way, no slapstick.
The story starts out in a very Alice in Wonderland way with our antagonist, Coraline, bored out of her wits because her parents have no time for her and trying to get use to her new lonely dwellings in a house that has only 3 eccentric neighbours including a little boy who stalks Coraline. Coraline is rather ungrateful and not very understanding of why her parents cant give her undivided attention. She then finds a portal through what seems to be a parallel world but a world where her parents have all the time in the world for her and gives her anything she wants but is it all too good to be true for little Coraline? The story then continues to get creepier and creepier until it becomes downright frightening! Yes kids will be scared out of their wits. That is to say, they will love it! This film is a masterpiece of children's storytelling. Stunning visuals of both the whimsical and hellish variety. I was enthralled, entertained and frightened as much Coraline was in the film. I truly hope I can expect more films like this from Sellig.