Coraline Gives Us The Representation We Need

Review by Keymani Dyer. Photo courtesy of Monmouth.

Coraline is a children's movie. It was created by Neil Gaiman and was released on February 6, 2009.  Directed by Henry Selick. Coraline was produced by Claire Jennings; who plays the main character role of Coraline Jones, including Teri Hatcher voicing the other mother, and playing the other father is john hodgman, based on the novel written by Neil Gaiman. Coraline helped me understand that looks can be deceiving, and that just because something is pretty on the outside doesn’t mean there aren't any flaws.

Coraline is about a curious young girl voiced by the actor Dakota Fanning, whose parents just moved her from their hometown in Pontiac, Michigan to the Pink Palace Apartments in Ashland, Oregon. Coraline’s parents only pay attention to her if she bothers them. After settling in, she comes across a tiny door in their new home, forcing her mother to open it, only to realize it’s all bricked up. Later that night, Coraline happily enters a “perfect” parallel world that distracts her from the dangers ahead.  

Something I liked about the movie is how the creator uses the cat as a partner helping Coraline throughout the movie. Even as the movie starts, the cat is trying not so clearly to warn her about the tiny door not being a good idea to entertain. As the movie continues, a young boy named Wyborn, who Coraline met in the beginning, gives her a doll that looks just like her and watches while also listening to all her conversations. Unknowing of this fact, she carries it everywhere throughout the whole movie. I didn't like this about the movie because this small detail could have prevented many issues that Coraline faced.

I loved Coraline because it gives credit to show how this obstacle Coraline went through taught her a valuable lesson such as, being careful of what you wish for. Throughout the beginning Coraline gives off the impression that she is unsatisfied and wants a new family, but as the movie goes on and the plot comes into action it shows how her mindset changes and she becomes more appreciative of her parents even though they aren’t as loving as most parents.  All the characters in the movie play a huge role in Coraline's journey. I would recommend this movie to anyone because Coraline gives many different hidden details with so much to look at and builds curiosity of what's going to happen next.

Overall, I rate this movie a 10/10, it was amazing. You can watch Coraline on apps like Roku PlutoTV, and Tubi.

Keymani Dyer is a freshman at Friendship Collegiate Academy.