The Magic of Coraline a Video Essay

In this captivating video, join us as we delve into the mesmerizing universe of "Coraline" and compare Neil Gaiman's hauntingly beautiful book with its equally enchanting movie adaptation. We'll take you on a journey through the whimsical storyline, intricately woven characters, and chilling atmosphere that make Coraline a modern classic.

Discover the intricate details that differentiate the book from the movie, as we explore the strengths of each medium and analyze how they bring the story to life in their own unique ways. Immerse yourself in the words that painted Coraline's world, and witness the visual spectacle that translated it onto the silver screen.

Through thought-provoking discussions, we'll explore the key themes of bravery, identity, and the allure of the unknown, unraveling the depths of Coraline's character and the challenges she faces. Prepare to be captivated by the eerie button-eyed Other Mother, the mysterious world behind the door, and the hair-raising encounters Coraline must navigate.

Whether you're a fan of the book, the movie, or both, this video offers an engaging analysis and celebration of the beloved Coraline story. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and embark on this captivating exploration of Coraline's world, where fantasy and reality blur, and bravery takes center stage.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:15 Book vs Movie
06:06 Caroline?
09:40 Stop Motion Magic
14:58 Henry Selick's voice
16:24 Other world lessons
21:00 Other Mother differences
24:07 The Cat
26:28 Creepy Cozy
28:30 Adolescence
30:17 What a Beldam REALLY is
31:45 Adder Stone
33:25 Conclusion
34:00 Secret :)

[OkamiHowls]

I remember I owned the DVD for Coraline and would take it everywhere we went on vacation. It came with 3D glasses that would enhance the color and overall feel of the other world which was always super fun.

I’m SHOCKED to find out Wybie wasn’t a part of the book. He’s always been a big part of what I like about Coraline. His name always made me question so much about his lore and his wariness of Coraline felt very relatable. I never really liked Coraline herself and honestly related to Wybie’s reaction to her more. I also highly related to my best friend being a cat. The way he talks to the cat and convinced Coraline to put her imagination and trust into a cat like she does her stick is something my kid self would do.

Coraline always felt very creepy but beautiful to me. The atmosphere they create is incredible and unlike some of the other claymation films I like, it doesn’t feel as goofy. The animation and environment just draw you in and I kinda forget it’s not a cartoon.

But I think the movie is truly so alluring because I think every kid wishes to run away when they become irritated with their parents. I remember often ‘running away’ from home to my aunt’s house next door. My aunt gave me soft drinks and snacks and always listened to me. When I was irritated with my mom, she felt like a better home to go and like a better parent. It’s very similar to how Coraline feels more comfort in the other world in the movie. And it also shows how when kids visit their relatives in short periods everything seems so perfect and kinder (like going to a grandparents) but the longer you stay, the more the ‘home’ becomes just like your house. The adults become adults again and the disconnect happens all over again. I’ve always loved that underlying lesson when rewatching it as an adult.

[tinoybarra]

I remember watching this movie in theaters and my jaw dropped when she mentioned she was from Pontiac, Michigan. I had never heard my hometown mentioned in a movie before. Also, we don’t say swampers or toque. That’s more of a Canadian thing. We’re near Detroit which is right next to Windsor, Ontario. So, maybe someone thought some Canadian words would travel over or something

[autumnnicole]

Coraline is such a magical movie. I had no idea that he also wrote sandman!! I love them both so so so much! Your singing at the end was so cute I loved it so much. You also LOOKED AMAING!!! I loved that you used blue in your eyeshadow to pay homage to her hair. So cute and clever. Great job!

[bia]

We had to watch it for film class and write short review (basically choose to wrote one out of many other movies we watched) and I chose Coraline for a reason. Definitely one of my favourite cartoon horror movies and Gaiman is my favourite writer rn.

[Nycyoda]

Coraline was always a favorite movie and when I got older I picked up the book. I was very disappointed in the book because when I was expecting to find more insight into the story, it kinda felt like the magic was taken away and everything was much more simple. However, it made me so happy that Gaiman loved Selicks adaptation so much! That was such a nice tid bit to learn!

[jimbob]

YESSS THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE THIS MOVIE ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[LegacyFable]

Honestly is there a bad stop animation movie? I feel like it's such an attention to detail art that there's something so magical about it it's hard to fail

[JessicaLovesFoxes]

Wonderful essay! Coraline is such a fascinating movie! :)

(Also, poor cats! They deserve so much better 😢)

[kosmo]

Loved this video. I’m a life time Coraline fan and you touched on some interesting topics I’ve never heard before :) I especially loved your analysis on the origin of “beldam”

[timeofthewhoviansunited]

Hello,

This is George from the 'Time of the Whovians United' YouTube channel. As you can tell we ended that YT channel last year, however, we're planning on setting up a brand new collaborative YouTube channel all about pop culture content other than it being solely Doctor Who. I am looking to set up a new team of creators to join me on this fresh start from the ground up and was wondering if you would like to a part of it. The content ranges from videos essays, reviews & retrospectives etc. Also, Coraline is literally my number one favourite film of all time!!

If you are intrigued about doing that or to know more, let me know and we can arrange a phone call & go from there. Channel name - "That's Iconic".
Best wishes,
George.

[horseradishpower]

Belle...mare?

Mare is an obsolete, Old English word. It means an evil spirit, hence nightmare - which immediately sprang to mind when you said Bellemare.

Interesting, and makes sense dor the Other Mother.

[jamestolbert]

To be honest, I prefer the other Father in the movie