The worlds of Coraline, the search for perfection

When we think of animated films, we think of children, children’s films; However, there are cases in which the animation goes further and manages to captivate an adult audience. The worlds of Coraline (2009) is a clear example, since it is a children’s film that, however, caused terror among some children and fury among adults.. And, perhaps, it is not a completely children’s film, but rather it is intended for children who have a kaleidoscope of maturity that allows them to appreciate its magic.

Both the mysterious plot and its enveloping aesthetic make the film a story that is too complex for certain ages, too terrifying. The animation, made with the technique stop motionreminds us deeply of some Tim Burton films like Nightmare Before Christmas either Corpse Bride. However, Although many believe that the film is signed by Burton, the reality is that he had little or nothing to do with it.

This peculiar, Burtonian and Gothic aesthetic has a reason. It is no coincidence that we think of other Burton films: Director of The worlds of CoralineHenry Selick, was Tim’s right-hand man for a long time and, although it may seem impossible, it was he who directed the legendary Nightmare Before Christmas and not Burton. It is true that the original idea of Nightmare Before Christmas It arose from a poem written by Burton, but the direction fell to Selick, leaving Burton as producer.

Therefore, it is not surprising that both directors have drawn on their common influences, their work together, and that they have given that special and characteristic touch to animation in stop motion.

The worlds of Coraline It is a true visual gift, a gift to our most childish fantasy. The story reminds us greatly of others like The Wizard of Oz either Alice in Wonderland; girls who immerse themselves in a bizarre adventure, where they will face their greatest fears until they reach maturity and wisdom.

Coraline is a girl whose parents, too absorbed in their work, barely have time for her, and whose new surroundings will be too boring for her. Like Alice, she will discover a new secret world, a wonderful world that, little by little, will become dark…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXPEzald7j8

The other world

Coraline has just moved with her parents to an old house divided into apartments, far from the city and with hardly any friends. In her she feels bored and alone: I wish I were anywhere else. Her parents, despite working on a botany catalogue, have their garden completely neglected, they are too busy and can barely fix the old house, making it not a welcoming place, quite the opposite.

Among the neighbors are: Mr. Bobinsky, a Russian acrobat who is in charge of training rats; Mrs. Spink and Mrs. Forcible, two strange retired actresses obsessed with dogs; and Wybie, the grandson of the owner of the house, a boy Coraline’s age who is too talkative for her liking. Wybie is the one who gives Coraline a strange rag doll dressed just like her.

In addition to these eccentric characters that Coraline so dislikes, there is the cat, a neglected-looking black cat that Wybie takes care of, although we will soon discover that he is much more than a simple feline. One night, Coraline, guided by some mice, discovers something truly extraordinary: a small secret door that leads to what seems like an improved version of her life..

In this “Other World”, Coraline arrives at an exact copy of her house, but more colorful, with a beautiful garden and with parents totally dedicated to their daughter.. From the food to the neighbors, everything seems to have improved when you walk through the small door; In this new improved world everyone has their alter ego, an almost exact copy that, instead of eyes, has buttons. All except Coraline and the cat.

This characteristic does not seem to matter too much to Coraline, because her life, finally, is what she had always dreamed of. One of the characters that catches our attention the most is Wybie, or “the other Wybie”, because on this occasion, the “other mother” has been in charge of improving him so that he is the perfect companion for Coraline, Wybie cannot speak; but he is the most revealing character, because he seems to show a certain fear towards “the other mother.”.

In “The Other World”, the cat remains the same, it has no buttons and crosses the door next to Coraline; However, upon entering the door, the cat demonstrates to Coraline her ability to talk about herself and she will become a kind of spiritual guide for heran essential help that will guide her and warn her against danger.

Everything seems perfect in “The Other World” until Coraline discovers that the trapped souls of other children live there; children who lived a long long time ago and among whom is Wybie’s grandmother’s sister. Why do they all have buttons? How has “the other mother” been able to catch Coraline?

The film takes on a darker and darker tone as we learn about the evil intentions of “the other mother,” as we discover that That beauty from the “Other World” is nothing more than a deception, a trap to trap girls like Coraline.

What teaches us The worlds of Coraline?

The worlds of Coraline is loaded with metaphors that aim to dismantle the superficiality of appearances, to show us that not everything is what it seems. The doll that Coraline has is nothing more than a puppet of the “other mother”, a tool that she uses to spy on the girl and learn all her secrets. “The eyes are the mirror of the soul” and, by stripping the children of them, the “other mother” is able to capture her souls for all eternity.

In the same way, The black cat acts as a conductor with the most spiritual part of Coraline, with her true feelings and will make her see that this “Other World” is not as perfect as it looks.. Wybie’s real name is Wyborne, a play on words that refers to “why born” (why he was born), he lives with his grandmother and we know nothing about his parents, which makes us think that, probably, his childhood was not easy. These two characters who, at the beginning, generated rejection in Coraline, will become the key to escape and defeat “the other mother.”

Coraline despises Wybie and the cat for their appearance, she also does so with her eccentric neighbors whom she considers boring and too strange. It is true that none of these characters are perfect, they are not even able to call her by her name and they all believe that her name is Caroline, but The perfection that “The Other World” houses is nothing more than a dangerous temptation.

When Coraline discovers that her real parents are in danger and that the “other mother” has done nothing but use her, her true feelings will awaken in her, accepting people as they are, discovering that she is not perfect either. Coraline will overcome her fears and fight to save her loved ones, showing the “other mother” that love goes beyond appearances..

The worlds of Coraline It is not only a lesson for the girl, but also for overly strict parents and for those families so busy that they barely have time for their children. In a world where we barely have time, sometimes we neglect what is most important and forget fundamental values. So, The worlds of Coraline It is a film that, beyond its fascinating aesthetics, manages to captivate adult audiences.

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