CORALINE 3-D 2-Disc Collector's Edition
Studio: Universal Year: 2009 Rated: PG Film Length: 1 hour, 40 minutes Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1.85:1) Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish |
Release Date: July 21, 2009
The Movie
(
½ out of )Coraline is the story of Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning), a young girl who moves with
her indifferent parents, and away from all of her friends in the world, to an apartment in
the wilderness of Oregon. Coraline is lonely and she reluctantly strikes up a friendship
with Wybie (Robert Bailey, Jr.), an annoying young boy whose grandmother is the
landlord to her parents.
Although Coraline is initially bored and lonely, she discovers a cast of colorful
characters who reside in her neighborhood. Ms. Forcible and Ms. Spink (Jennifer
Saunders and Dawn French, respectively) are former stage performers who still love to
entertain. Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane) is a retired circus acrobat who trains mice to
perform tricks. The voices for Coraline’s self-absorbed parents are provided by Teri
Hatcher and John Hodgman.
Coraline discovers a portal to another world during her explorations of her family’s
apartment. Coraline’s other world is more appealing to her than the real world she left
behind and she must eventually choose which world she wishes to inhabit.
Henry Selick (director of The Nightmare Before Christmas) wrote the screenplay and
directed Coraline. This film is an adaptation of the award-winning book by acclaimed
fantasy author Neil Gaiman (Stardust, Mirrormask). Like The Nightmare Before
Christmas, Coraline is animated by the stop-motion animation method. Afficianados of
this method of animation will appreciate that this is the first film in which an animated
morphing sequence has ever been accomplished in stop-motion animation. Although
there have been other stop-motion animation movies that have been transferred to 3-D,
Coraline is the first film to be shot originally in stereoscopic 3-D.
Video
(
out of )Both 2-D and 3-D versions of Coraline are included on either side of Disc 1 in an
anamorphic transfer of the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Video quality is excellent in
both versions with no apparent compression artifacts. Colors are muted rather than
vibrant to reflect the tone of this fantasy/horror story. Although there are some
sequences that are deliberately dark, taking place at night and/or indoors, the black
crush that is often prevalent on DVD transfers is thankfully absent here, and shadow
detail is excellent.
This edition has the movie in both 2-D and 3-D versions, and comes with 4 pairs of 3-D
glasses. The 3-D format is in the traditional anaglyphic process with the green lens
over your left eye and the purple lens over your right eye. The anaglyph process on this
DVD is serviceable although images that jump out at you are few and far between.
Although colors are muted when viewed in 3-D, the entire palette is muted deliberately.
This is apparent when comparing the 2-D version to the 3-D version, which reveals that
the clarity of images is not compromised in the 3-D version.
Audio
(
out of )The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio makes full use of all speakers to surround the viewer with
music and sound effects. Dialogue is primarily (and appropriately) from front and
center. The music and effects are balanced well with the dialogue so that the dialogue
tracks are never drowned out by music and sound effects. The audio is solid but not
exceptional.
Special Features
(
½ out of )This 2-Disc Collector’s Edition includes the full-length movie on Disc 1 with optional
director’s commentary and the remaining special features, including a digital copy, on
Disc 2. The director’s commentary by Selick is surprisingly interesting and informative.
Since Selick is the director as well as the screenwriter who adapted Gaiman’s book,
he has an excellent understanding of the characters motivations as they relate to the
plot. Selick’s commentary is definitely better than average and recommended to
hardcore fans of this film.
The remaining special features, on Disc 2, are as follows:
Deleted Scenes (8:50): These deleted and extended scenes include introductions by
director Selick.
The Making of Coraline (35:56): This making-of featurette is broken down into the
following 11 parts: The Evolution of the Story, Inspiring Design: Character Design and
Art Direction, Directing the Voice Sessions, Making Puppets, Coraline’s Closet,
Setting the Stage: How Does Coraline’s Garden Grow, It’s Alive, I’ve Seen Fire And I’ve
Seen Fog, The Eyes Have It, and Wrapping Up Coraline. These 11 parts can be viewed
separately or there is a "Play All" function on the menu.
Voicing The Characters (10:46): This is a behind the scenes featurette with Selick and
the voice cast.
The digital copy is also located on Disc 2.
Conclusion
(
½ out of overall)Coraline is a better than average animated film that does not overstay its welcome like
some recent animated features. The 3-D effects are serviceable without being
exceptional and enhance the entertainment value of this film. The 3-D effects on this
DVD are average for the anaglyph process. The story evokes the best fantasy
elements of the books by Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis. As such, it succeeds in
entertaining an adult audience without being inaccessible to children. The film may be
too intense for very young children but is appropriate for most children and adults.
Edited by Timothy E - 7/21/2009 at 05:06 am GMT
