As I mentioned in my last blog, Jillian, Emerson and myself went to go see Coraline over the weekend. I also mentioned that this movie is not appropriate for small children. 

The basic plot is that Coraline, a small girl is unhappy with her parents because they are very busy and have very little time for her. Coraline and her family have just moved into a new apartment and in the apartment is a small door that is blocked off by bricks. However, when Coraline sleeps, mice lead her to the door and the door is no longer obstructed. Going through the door, Coraline finds a better, more ideal world where she has a "other mother" who closely resembles her real mother except she has buttons over her eyes and always has time for Coraline, lavishing her with cakes, gifts and clothes. Not too long into the story, the movie makes the transition from "There's a lesson to be learned here" to "Yeah, we're that creepy." It was a great story, but oh so very creepy. How this could ever be marketed as a children's tale is beyond me.

Things that made me worry: In the movie, Coraline has a friend named Wybie. This boy is a bit annoying and Coraline often wishes he wouldn't talk so much. So, in the alternate world, Wybie can't talk at all and Coraline is so completely OK with this. I was creeped out. He can't talk?! That is awful. This put me in mind of Hocus Pocus where one of the witches' sews her husband's mouth together, especially when Coraline's "other mother" sews Wybie's mouth into a smile because he "pulled a long face and she didn't like it." 

I was also very disturbed by the cat character. Especially when this cat kills a mouse. It was graphic in a cartoon way. I was waiting for the cat to kill everyone. It didn't happen.

I was especially creeped out by the 3 dead children. Again, NOT a child's story at all.

Jillian says that the movie is a short story by Neil Gaiman. Now I have to read it.