by Manny The Movie Guy

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: February 28, 2009

"Coraline," the new 3-D animated flick is being marketed to adults. Even the moral compass of the story is aimed toward the parents in the audience. According to the film, parents must spend more quality time with their kids or they will choose an alternate set of moms and dads even if it brings them danger.

Based on Neil Gaiman's international best-selling book, "Coraline" is a thrilling stop-motion animated adventure from visionary director Henry Selick. The film uses 3-D technology sparingly and with very minimal gimmickry.

"Coraline" draws you in from the very beginning. Its eye-popping opening sequence showcasing a doll being created is a must see.

Then, we are introduced to the precocious Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning). Her family just uprooted her from Michigan to Oregon. Mother (Teri Hatcher) and Father (John Hodgman) are both career-oriented folks who are too busy finishing up their garden catalog.

In her first day at their new home, Coraline meets a neighborhood boy named Wybie (Robert Bailey Jr.) who gives her a doll that looks exactly like her. That evening, Coraline is awaken by a mouse who leads her to a magical door.

Behind the secret door, Coraline discovers an alternate and seemingly better version of her life. Her Other Mother (also voiced by Teri Hatcher) cooks and spends more time with her, while the Other Father even plays the piano and delights Coraline with his magical garden.

But there's one thing odd about all the characters in this alternate universe. They all have buttons for eyes, and they all act too good to be true. Even Coraline's off-kilter neighbors in the real world namely Miss Forcible (Dawn French), Miss Spink (Jennifer Saunders), and Mr. Bobinsky (Ian MacShane) are all polished and too perfect in their alternate versions.

Selick, who had worked previously with Tim Burton in "The Nightmare Before Christmas," adapts some of the visuals previously associated with that film. Working with the Japanese illustrator Tadahiro Uesugi, Selick instinctively blends the look of "Nightmare" with the lyrical prose of Gaiman.

"Coraline" is fun to watch, and the main character, ably supported by Fanning, makes the experience joyful! But the pace of the film is a bit off. The first half is lackadaisical and feels like you're reading a book, while the second half is dense to satisfy its action-oriented fans.

"Coraline" is rated PG so beware your kids may get scared. But this voyage to the netherworld is meant to satisfy grown-ups, and perhaps teach them a thing or two about the importance of being The Mother or The Father so their kids will not snoop around for the Other Parents. And for that, "Coraline" gets 3 Buttons for Eyes Kisses

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