I really think I should start this particular review with the summary. Coraline is a wonderful, visual feast of a film, fully rounded, brilliantly written, diligently produced and quite possibly the best children’s film for absolutely ages. I have to say this now as the way I wanted to start this review would quite possibly have put readers off. Leaving me wracked with guilt at all those people who would miss out on such a treat.

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I had better explain. Coraline is a terrifying film. Now, I’m old enough to get into pretty much any film these days but watching Coraline not only made me check the certificate again, it also woke up those parts of my mind that still shudder at the memory of Daleks, or the child-catcher from Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang. The nine year-old sitting next to me, I should add, sat through the whole film transfixed, smiling and rubbing his hands with glee. I just don’t get it.

It’s worth pointing out at this point that Coraline is based on a book by Neil Gaiman, a writer who came to fame via the highly regarded Sandman series of comic books. Gaiman, who also penned last year’s Stardust, is known for his beautiful imagery and haunting –yet often uplifting- otherworldly storylines.  The world of the film is beautifully crafted, using stop motion techniques previously employed in Director Henry Selick’s other work, ‘A Nightmare before Christmas.’ From vibrant use of colour to deft touches of brilliance in the presentation of characters or objects, this is a visual delight.

Coraline –a sassy young girl who is happy to snap at people that her name isn’t Caroline- moves to a new house in the company of her loving, albeit stressed and distracted parents. Upon discovering a hidden doorway Coraline is transported to a new world – all brightly coloured and beautifully realised- occupied by an ‘Other Mother’, voiced by Teri Hatcher, who is so much more attentive and fun than her real mother back in the muted pastel and grey world of home. In fact everyone in this new world, from her ‘Other Father’ and neighbours to the hummingbirds in the garden, is delighted to serve and indulge Coraline’s every whim. Coraline enjoys this very real escape from the mundane, isolated, everyday existence she occupies until the facade falls away and we see the true motive behind the characters in the other world. Her ‘Other Mother’ wants to take away her eyes and replace them with buttons.

The story’s denouement is fast and action packed, with chases, puzzles and surprises that only Coraline, through her ingenuity and courage, can overcome, resulting in a finish that sees her fighting to save herself and her real parents from the menacing ‘Other Mother.’

Ultimately Coraline is a joyous paradox, a weird and scary story that is a wonder to behold and run through with warmth and fairy-tale charm. There has seldom been a better modern-day family film. And the fact that this grown up finds it terrifying with its flinch-inducing ideas of stealing eyes? Ask my nine-year old son. Apparently these things are only scary to grownups. Children just see a glowing, magical story.

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