Animated

We finally watched Coraline last evening, a movie I've wanted to see from the beginning. It's the only Gaiman book I've read, or will read. I respect his work, but I don't enjoy it. This book is the exception, read only because I trusted the friend who urged me to try it. Quite a story, with nicely ambiguous themes and messages.

The movie felt very true to the original story. Complaints about the boy helping her instead of letting the girl take care of herself are, I think, off point. A novel can allow a character to think to the reader. Very hard to accomplish in a film. And in the film, she is allowed a friend - like any hero on a quest. I could argue the feminist reading on it, but I think there are wider readings, more useful ones. About choosing the real over the ideal, not being fooled by flattering tales, accepting help, being courageous, a corner for anyone. The animation caught the prose beautifully, and added richly.

I was disappointed when I'd heard they'd not used the many They Might Be Giant's songs written for it, (only one) - but I think it was the right decision. TMBG is creepy in a cheerful sort of way. Coraline needed music to be full on creepy, with the animation of the main characters providing the humor.

Wonderful voices as well. Terri Hatcher is an actor I generally avoid, but she was perfection as the Other Mother. Keith David such an appropriate cat voice. And I'll buy John Linnell's singing voice to John Hodgman's speaking voice as Other Father.

My only real concern is that too many children were taken to see this, and are still having nightmares. This is genuinely frightening, intense - and it builds and builds. The attitude here that all animation is for children. Means that animation isn't used for anything but children's movies, and children get exposed to the rare exception. And that if I want to see an animated film, I have to wait for dvd, or hope it shows up at Brewvies. Kids here are not kept quiet in a theater. Especially not by the kinds of parents who take their kids to see a scary, adult oriented animated film just because "it's a cartoon."

Moby is still hiding. He wanted to play "chase me!" - a game he's trained me to play. He reaches up his paws to my butt, or mrrks or just takes ninjakitty stance, and I have to chase after him, until he flops on the bed or stool, and then I have to pet him. But he ran into the bedroom, then full speed out - and into my shin. Probably has a bit of a headache, if my own bruise is anything to go by. He's let me pet him in the closet, but he's not coming out.

Poor kitty.