The imagination of a child can create parallel universes in which odd-looking creatures strive to obtain power while big-mouthed, evil rulers punish newcomers and make them wish they had never landed in that certain story-like reality. If adults only have access to these worlds when they dream at night, kids may open the magic door as often as they like with the help of their bold and playful minds.

 

“Coraline,” however, lets parents in as well, as it follows an Alice in Wonderland-like story; a tale full of twists and incredible happenings that will surely amaze even the most skeptical of us.

 

Adapted from a novel by Neil Gaiman, the first stop-motion feature ever made in 3-D focuses on an 11-year-old girl, Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning). The little girl has just moved into the Pink Palace with her parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman), who are too busy to even notice the discontentment of their daughter. Practically locked in an empty physical world, Coraline discovers a secret entrance and thus penetrates into an alternate reality of the Pink Palace. In this world, mom and dad are very kind and compassionate, while Coraline’s neighbors are able to perform numerous incredible burlesque acts. Among the tenants, there is a small, loquacious boy, Wybie Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.), a couple of British actresses (Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French) and a circus performer from Russia, voiced by Ian McShane. Even the cat (Keith David) can talk. Coraline’s new folks are incredible, as her mom cooks the most delicious goodies in the world, while her dad is an extraordinary musician. These parents are poles apart from the real ones and this is what Coraline enjoys about her new place.

 

Nevertheless, Coraline feels that something is not right about the land she has found, since mom and dad have buttons instead of eyes and act a bit unnatural. Now the little girl has to decide on whether to remain in one reality or another. The perfect world turns out to be filled with scheming evil creatures and Coraline’s real parents soon disappear. Will the little girl be able to save them?

 

 

As innocent as the storyline may seem, the force of the suggestion regarding vanished parents and eerie appearances may actually startle young children, as they are unable to notice the subtle analogies in the movie. Beside these minuses, the story is very suitable for a family gathering, as it is very likely to capture adults in its magical territory as well.