Happy Halloweenish everyone!Today I’m going to review a very nostalgia Halloween classic for me. That’s very unique to say the least, Caroline or Coraline whichever one you prefer to call it. So let’s get to it, starting with the story.
Story:
The story stars a certain blue haired girl named Coraline who isn't amused of her new life in Oregon.Then suddenly she comes across a mysterious, small door that opens to a whole new world. This other world is very much to fit what Coraline wishes her life to be like, but she is unaware of the dark secrets within the new world.There’s also a lot of other plot lines and arcs,Coraline’s main character arc,a lost twin thingy,the ghost children,the other world, something about a garden, witches, the door and just 100 more other plot lines that the movie decided to have.And I’m sorry, Caroline just couldn’t jiggle all of the little plots and arcs without at least dropping some or leaving some things unexplained.For example we were told in the beginning of the film that Caroline was a water witch, which spoiler alert didn’t go anywhere.We weren’t even told what a water witch was.Now I’m really curious if this was in the novel since it was explained as if it was important to the plot.It’s even the thing that introduced us to the well, (a plot point in the story). Aside from that though, it was a pretty solid story. The ideas are creative and imaginative.The world is interesting, the fact that the world will unwind into a web without children’s souls is interesting and the button eyes are a unique idea with some real potential. Not that there aren't problems in it(I’m referring to the plot holes), but I liked the idea.I also love the atmosphere, the other world is whimsical in a kind of suspicious way, while the real world is more ordinary with a been there done that attitude and don’t get me started when the other world reveals its true colors it is terrifying and heart-racing. There wasn’t one moment that went by where the atmosphere wasn’t just perfect.Overall, it was a good story despite the plot holes, and I liked it the story was fairly neat and enjoyable.
Presentation:
Caroline is a 3D stop motion film. Meaning it was it’s own original art at the time and it looked amazing.It’s fluid,unique and memorable and the 3D was subtle. The stop motion looks perfect for the other world, and is a part of what made the atmosphere so memorable.The best part about it is how scary it looks mixed in with the animation. Not that the story itself wasn’t creepy, but it was made a lot more creeper by the imagery and the atmosphere it reflected. I was also very impressed with the soundtrack another thing that played a role into the atmosphere. The soundtrack was produced by a french award-winning composer, Bruno Coulais,which btw was perfect!It stood out and felt as creepy as the film itself.The scenery in the film was great!The dark tones and shadows that filled the screen when the story got dark to the bright and vivid colors when the other world was trying to be whimsical and the grayish and light designs and colors of the real world.The color choices really made a difference and really helped the designs of the other world really stand out.I wasn’t a big fan of the character designs, they were very awkward and didn’t really fit the real world that much.Not that they were bad to say,it was just a little disappointing.Again I do wish that the character designs were a bit better, but that’s just a little problem to an overall pretty solid presentation.
Characters:
Let’s start with the title character,Coraline.She is exactly what character I wanted for the premise. She can be selfish and greedy, but never too unlikable.She also has an interesting personality that fits with the mood and message of the story. She’s curious, ambitious,clever, caring, snarky, greedy, selfish, determined, and sometimes even rude.True she’s not the type of heroine to look up to, but that is what makes her a great fit. Most of her actions and how she was almost tricked into staying in the other world is in character,so it’s only natural to have a main character like Coraline. Having an insect pin on her is an interesting way to do your symbolism, but it’s fine, just fine...I guess maybe be more subtle next time.Anyway let’s get to the spider monster aka the Other Mother. Who is also a pretty memorable character can’t lie.Her plans do shoot themselves in the foot sometimes, though to be fair the plan by itself isn’t so bad, it just needs a back up.Her personality isn’t much to talk about, but I did feel threatened and uneasy everytime she’s on screen.Even when she’s not in her real form, there seems to be something unsettling about her.You also have the black cat who can talk in the other world because...magic?Anyway he is very similar to Coraline he enjoys being just as snarky and sarcastic as her, but knows when to stop and help in a serious situation, Though the difference between him and Coraline is that he acts more like a mentor to Coraline.Now let’s talk about the weakest characters of the film the side characters.Who would be Wybie, Forcible, Spink, Mel(Coraline’s real Mother), Charlie(Coraline’s real farther), and Bobinsky. All of them are annoying and forgettable, I know that’s the point, but seriously I would appreciate it if they didn’t just feel like plot devices.You also have the other father who is a pumpkin, yes you heard me right a pumpkin.Not that I have a problem with the character himself, it’s just how silly it sounds and get this the other Miss Spink and Forcible are candy! I’m sorry, but why? Again the minions themselves are just fine,I’m just really questioning why it would be scary. I get why the other Bobinsky could be scary he is made out of rats,but how would a pumpkin and candy be scary? Oh, well I guess because it relates back to Halloween it makes it scary somehow? Okay moving on, the other Wybie is a teammate of Coraline’s and he helps her get out of the other world. I honestly don’t have much to say about him, I guess if you build your minions to love your enemy it’s bound to backfire. Overall, most of the characters are decent, I just didn’t really like the side characters.
Overall Scores:
Story:9.8/10
Presentation: 8/10
Characters:6.2/10
Enjoyment:7/10
Ending Score:9.5/10
