p1

1. Coraline film analysis
George Wetton
Context
Coraline is a dark fantasy animated film released in 2009 and directed by Henry
Selick. Selick is a well-known director most famous for ‘the nightmare before
Christmas’ (1993). He is also known to work with Disney on films such as ‘Pete’s
dragon’ (1977) and ‘the fox and the hound’
(1981). The uniqueness that stand’s the test
of time as it’s USP (unique selling point) is the
3d stop motion animation. Stop motion
animation is building puppets and sets for
taking pictures. One picture is one frame of
the sequence. Each new frame you move
something to suggest movement, which
creates a sequence of movements based of
singular frame. Making everything come to
life. The film is based off the novel which
retains the same name and was written by
Neil Gailman in 2002. This film was disturbed
by focus features. During opening weekend
Coraline made £16.85 million. The animation
and puppetry behind the film took two years
to make.
Whilst the film is a kids film it does tackle many themes that are considered
mature and intelligent. The idea of identity and self-discovery. Coraline, feeling
neglected and ignored by her parents is drawn to the Alternate world where
she is lavished with Attention and affection that children crave. However, she
soon begins to realise that the world she is surrounded isn’t what she initially
thought and therefore must confront the darkness in herself. We as humans
don’t appreciate what we have until we have lost in and that’s a key central
theme in the film. The power of imagination and creativity are central themes of
the film as well, particularly corallines. The creativity not only helps her discover
this brand-new world but escape it when trouble arrives. The film is rich in
symbolism, with the hidden door serving as a metaphor for the threshold
between childhood and adulthood. The door, hidden behind a wallpaper,
represents the idea that the truth is often hidden beneath the surface. The
buttons, which serve as the "other" parents' eyes, symbolize the way in which

2. parents often try to control and manipulate their children. The cat, which serves
as a guide and confidant for Coraline, represents the idea of intuition and
instinct. Coraline is a complex and dynamic character, who undergoes
significant development throughout the film. At the beginning of the story,
Coraline is portrayed as a curious and adventurous child, who feels neglected
and ignored by her parents. However, as the story progresses, Coraline's
bravery and resourcefulness are revealed, as she navigates the dangers of the
alternate world. Coraline's character serves as a commentary on the challenges
and struggles faced by children, particularly girls, in navigating the complexities
of adulthood.
The "other" parents, who are revealed to be the true villains of the story, serve
as a commentary on the dangers of idealized parenting. The "other" parents,
with their button eyes and saccharine smiles, represent the idea of parents as
all-knowing and all-powerful. However, as the story progresses, it becomes
clear that this idealized vision of parenting is actually a facade, hiding a darker
and more sinister reality. As or Coraline's real parents, who are often portrayed
as neglectful and distracted, serve as a commentary on the challenges and
complexities of modern parenting. The parents, who are struggling to balance
their work and family responsibilities, are often portrayed as being absent and
disengaged. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that they are
actually deeply loving and concerned for Coraline's well-being.
One of the most striking aspects of Coraline is the way in which it portrays the
power dynamics of parenting. The "other" parents, with their button eyes and
controlling behaviour, represent the idea of parents as all-powerful and
authoritarian. In contrast, Coraline's real parents, who are often portrayed as
struggling and imperfect, represent the idea of parents as fallible and
vulnerable. This portrayal serves as a commentary on the complexities and
challenges of modern parenting. Another important theme to trace through
this film is the commentary on the impact of trauma on children. Coraline's
experiences in the alternate world serve as a metaphor for the ways in which
trauma can affect children's perceptions of reality. The film portrays the ways in
which trauma can be both deeply disturbing and profoundly transformative.
This film is a film that can relate to al kids that view the world differently and
sometimes more beneficially then we adults think. This film had deep impact on
me when I was younger rand my own vivid imagination
In terms of the making of the film, each puppet had about 30 pairs of hands,
made by hand, to accommodate all their gestures. The Coraline puppet had 42
different wigs, and her hair was a special blend of three colours. The puppets'

3. faces were also meticulously crafted, with over 15,000 replacement faces
created for all the characters. The animation process was labour-intensive,
involving a combination of traditional and computer-generated techniques. The
team used a combination of hand-painted backgrounds and CGI characters to
create the film's unique visual style. Each minute of the film took a full week to
make, with only 29 animators working on the project. One of the biggest
challenges was bringing the button eyes to life, which required a lot of
experimentation. The production team also used 3D printing to create the
replacement faces, a technique that was innovative at the time
In conclusion, Coraline is a rich and complex film that serves as a commentary
on a wide range of themes and issues. The film's portrayal of identity,
imagination, and the power dynamics of parenting serves as a commentary on
the complexities and challenges of modern childhood. The film's representation
of trauma and its impact on children serves as a powerful reminder of the
importance of supporting and protecting children. Along with the analysis of
the film behind the scenes its there to suggest that that everyone within the
production team has the same level of imagination of creativity and intelligence
to capture something incredible. Overall, Coraline is a deeply unsettling and
profoundly thought-provoking film that will continue to haunt audiences for
years to come.