A brawny yet slim girl with unmistakable blue hair and a yellow rain jacket. A gawky pre-teen boy with a funny name. A quick-witted black cat that’s capable of having an insightful conversation with a human. A stout Russian, cheese loving ringmaster with a circus of rodents. Two retired prissy acrobats with a love for black schnauzer dogs. Characters like these could only stem from one’s dreams… or nightmares.

Personally, I have never seen a children’s movie with such depth as Coraline. This film is packed with complexing mysteries to unfold, showy colors and a unique and intriguing storyline. The film begins on moving day for the main character Coraline Jones and her family into an apartment complex called the Pink Palace in Ashland Oregon. Coraline’s not so ecstatic about the move, all of her friends, all of her memories are back in Pontiac Michigan. Coraline meets a boy named Wyborn who goes by “Wybie” for obvious reasons. Wybie isn’t exactly worthy to replace her friends back in Pontiac but he’s the only kid in the complex so she doesn’t have many options. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are constantly busy with their freelance jobs and simply don’t have time to entertain their daughter. Coraline wishes that her parents could be better, she wishes the shower wasn’t infested with silverfish. She longs for a dinner that isn’t mystery meat casserole from her parents. After Wybie hands Coraline a strange plush doll that looks just like Coraline with black button eyes, otherworldly things occur at the Pink Palace overnight. A drabby day in reality turns to a whimsical night of circus performances, mango milkshakes, a talented pianist and a magical garden, all of which was created by Coraline’s ‘other mother’.  But after Coraline discovers her other mother isn’t who she thinks she is, night time for Coraline switches from paradise to torment. We follow Coraline and a befriended cat named Charlie as they try to reverse the effects of the Other-Mother. Coraline will learn that some things are just too good to be true and those good things actually turn out to be evil.

I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed this claymated film, its characters, its plot, its music, its mysteries, its humor and its suspense. This movie is the perfect movie for anyone who doesn’t get easily scared as for some of the elements of the movie including images, jumpscare animations and profound concepts can be quite hair-raising. But, for anyone who can take a scare, this film is the perfect choice to watch.