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Films

Coraline

17 replies

melpomene · 02/05/2009 20:08

Saw Coraline in 3D today with dh and the dds (aged 6 and 4). We all enjoyed it - the animation is awesome and the story is gripping. However it is very dark, essentially a horror film, so if your dcs are sensitive you should think carefully before taking them. There is a creepy sense of menace throughout much of the film, building to a lot of scary scenes in the second half. Much of horror is quite psychological, involving betrayal by a trusted figure and revelation of rotten/wretched reality beneath a seemingly pleasant exterior. I myself found it scary (though not in an upsetting way) and shall never look at buttons in quite the same light again! Despite the horror there is almost no actual violence shown.

There are some beautifully-animated sequences with lots of quirky touches, and some humourous light-relief involving Scottie dogs and a mouse circus which had me laughing out loud. The character of Coraline is strong, sympathetic, and credible.

Recommended, as long as your dcs are not too easily-scared!

OP posts:
mckenzie · 02/05/2009 22:03

thanks for posting this melpomene. Ds has mentioned this movie and expressed an interest in going to see it but I shall swerve it now as he is quite sensitive and is likely to be upset by some of the things you have mentioned. Thanks very much for the warning.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/05/2009 11:10

I was about to come and post on here asking if anyone had seen it and if it was scary, so thanks for the post. DD who's 8 is desperate to see it but she is a bit sensitive so I'm unsure. Though if your 4yo coped with it she should be OK. She watches Dr Who! Maybe I'll wait for the DVD to come out, less scary watching it at home.

belgo · 03/05/2009 11:18

here is an interesting review, comparing it to other fairy tales.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/05/2009 14:34

Our cinema only seems to be showing it in 3D - anyone know if you have to wear the 3D glasses? Will it look ok or will it be fuzzy if you don't wear them?

Anniek · 03/05/2009 20:45

SKS We watched Monsters Versus Aliens in 3D, and yes you have to wear the glasses,film not completely unwatchable without, but I imagine you'd get quite a headache.

Also think you'll be missing out not to watch it in 3D, we all loved MVA but the 3D made it great for Mum and Dad especially

janeite · 03/05/2009 20:47

We are going to see it tomorrow I think. I've never seen a 3D film before.

janeite · 03/05/2009 20:51

That was an interesting review Belgo, thanks. I studied Betelheim for my dissertation - it feels like eons ago!

mosschops30 · 03/05/2009 20:54

I would love to see this, took ds (4) and dd (12) to see M vs A instead today and they enjoyed it, although I think ds enjoyed Bolt far more as it had more of a story to follow, I dont think he had a clue which were monsters and which were aliens.

Wondering if he would cope with Coraline? Does it have a happy ending?

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/05/2009 22:19

I just think the combination of it being a bit scary and it being in 3D would be too much. Apparantly the 2D version is released next week so may wait for that. I'm worried I might feel sick watching a whole film in 3D!

PortAndLemon · 03/05/2009 23:28

The book has a happy ending, anyway, so I can't see their having de-happied it for the film.

Theresa · 04/05/2009 17:35

Totally agree woth original post. Lady next to me had 2 boys aged about 7 and 5. About halfway through I heard the older one say he felt sick and she took him out. Came back after about 10 mins and said he was scared, not sick and wouldnt come back in so she'd left him with member of staff while she came back in to get the younger one. Said staff said a few others had come out in tears! My ds (7) & dd (10) loved it (not that sensitive!) but 10 yr old friend who is, swapped seats to sit with me! Me and dh loved it as well. Havent read the book, yes hapy ending (isnt it always?) but not 'gushingly so'

MANATEEequineOHARA · 04/05/2009 17:46

I am going to definately take dc's to see this, but once we have read the book together first, I would hate to spoil a good Neil Gaiman book because we saw it before reading!

womblingfree · 04/05/2009 19:06

Took DD (4.7) to see Hannah Montana on Friday afternoon and they showed the trailer which freaked me out a bit. Definitely wouldn't take my DD to see it - looks interesting but v. sinister.

FrannyandZooey · 04/05/2009 19:07

god even the book scared the willies out of me

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Pollyanna · 04/05/2009 19:09

ooh my dd1 (8) has just read this and loved the book, and really wants to see the film.

duchesse · 04/05/2009 19:28

I read this, so did the children (aged 10, 8 and 7-8 when they read it). It scared me witless, but they were fine with it and couldn't understand at all why I found it scary. I don't know what they've done to the film, but if it's like the book, you'll be the one needing the cushion to hide behind...

Gamut · 27/05/2009 10:08

I swa this yesterday with DS aged 10 and 13. We all enjoyed it. How did they get Cherie Blair to agree to model for the Other Mother in her scary-witch appearence?

The film was scary in the best possible way. The same way that fairy tales are frightening, because they address very deep psychological fears of young children.

Very interesting that my oldish boys were very happy to see it and admit they liked it despite it having the 'feel' of appealing to a younger age -- and being quite 'female' in a way.

A real change from all the sanitised disney-type crap.

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