7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.7 |
The story of a young girl who unlocks a mysterious door in her new home and enters an adventure in a parallel reality.
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn FrenchFamily | 100% |
Animation | 86% |
Fantasy | 75% |
Adventure | 71% |
Supernatural | 22% |
Imaginary | 17% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
Anaglyph 3D
D-Box
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Long before the advent and rise of CG animation, stop-motion animation was king. It brought gods and monsters to life, immersed young minds in fairytale worlds of unspeakable danger, and delivered some of the most memorable images in cinematic history. Sadly, as Pixar and other CG heavyweights came to power, stop-motion animation fell by the wayside, deemed too expensive, too time-consuming and, to many, too archaic to resonate with modern audiences. Thankfully, filmmakers like director Henry Selick have refused to allow this time-honored art form to pass into the night. Not only have his collaborations with Tim Burton produced two stunning stop-motion gems -- The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach -- his work with acclaimed fantasy author Neil Gaiman has resulted in Coraline, a startlingly dark trip down a nightmarish rabbit hole filled with leering dolls, dripping with alluring sweets, and ruled by a deadly demoness on the prowl for unsuspecting children.
Turn back... you're going the wrong way...
"Perfection" is a word I try to use as sparingly as possible when discussing video presentations, but in the case of Coraline's exquisite 1080p/VC-1 transfer, no other word seems capable of so adequately and concisely describing its every frame. Whether Coraline is picking at her food in her gloomy house or dancing through the burgeoning flowers of her evil-parents' garden, Selick's palette erupts off the screen, dazzling the eye with bold primaries, phosphorescent green light, and absolutely stunning skintones. Blacks are deep and inky -- everything from the night sky, to the tiniest sliver of shadow, to the bottomless wells of her other mother's black button eyes is rich and absorbing. Detail is impeccable as well. While Selick uses diffuse lighting in several scenes (resulting in a slight softening of the image), textures are exceedingly refined, edges are crisp, and every nuance of the animators' puppets is on full display at all times.
Universal's technical presentation is just as flawless. I didn't encounter any significant artifacting, banding (a regular offender in animated films), source noise, distracting artificial sharpening, or other post-production nonsense. A faint veneer of grain permeates the proceedings, but it only serves to enhance the filmic nature of the image. Simply put, Universal's video transfer is just as magnificent as Coraline's gorgeous animation. For once, I have nothing... literally nothing to complain about.
As for the 1080p/VC-1 encoded 3D version of Coraline, I decided not to factor its picture quality into my overall video score. As most of you might already expect, it's more of a gimmick -- a curiosity if you will -- than a legitimate way to experience the film (at least the first time through). Even though Coraline is the first stop-motion animated production to be filmed in 3D, and despite the fact that its immersive 3D theatrical debut wowed audiences and critics alike, the Blu-ray version is hindered by an anaglyped presentation, magenta and cyan lenses (which drastically distort the film's vivid palette), frequent ghosting, and depth-of-field inconsistencies (distant objects don't come together as precisely as they should). Granted, any shortcomings should be attributed to the limitations of home video 3D -- which hasn't come close to catching up with the technology currently being used in theaters -- but it's still a difficult, somewhat annoying way to watch a film, especially one as lovely as Coraline.
Even so, those who do plow through the entire 3D experience will be rewarded with at-times amazing depth of field and lifelike dimensionality. More often than not, I felt as if I could reach out and grab hold of Selick's puppets. If the transfer's best illusions were paired with the vibrant, sparkling visuals of the 2D presentation, I might consider the 3D version as something other than a supplemental feature. However, in my humble opinion, it's worth little more than a quick look.
Universal's commanding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is just as impressive. While it begins with a whisper rather than a roar, it soon embraces every screeching demon, splintering reality, and lumbering monstrosity that feeds on Coraline's fear. Dialogue is crisp, clean, and nicely prioritized in the mix -- when a thunderous praying mantis clatters after our fleeing heroine, her shrill cries for help are crystal clear; when she clambers up a teetering spiderweb, the distant calls of her feline companion ring true; when she attempts to spend time with her strange neighbors, her uncomfortable murmurs remain perfectly intelligible. Better still, LFE output is resonant and earthy, and the rear soundstage is as active as Coraline's mind. Ambience is enveloping and convincing, directionality is eerily realistic, and interior acoustics -- be they in a quiet house, a small prison cell, or an expansive gathering hall -- are as precise and immersive as they come. Just listen as a parade of circus mice rush to fill your home theater. Marvel at the smoking gravy-train that circles Coraline's doppelgänger family before arriving at her mashed potatoes. Tremble as a rickety balcony collapses onto the soft grass below. No matter what scene you choose, simply listen to it all unfold. Coraline may pack a tremendous visual punch, but its aural kick will leave its mark as well.
The Blu-ray edition of Coraline includes both 2D and 3D versions of the film, four pairs of 3D glasses, additional DVD and Digital copies, and a fantastic supplemental package (presented entirely in high definition) that's sure to delight filmfans and animation aficionados alike. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's all-encompassing -- parents may be disappointed to find the vast majority of the content is aimed squarely at adults -- but it nevertheless delivers an extensive look at the production.
I wasn't expecting Coraline to resonate with me nearly as much as it did, but its engrossing story, engaging characters, and chilling monstrosities drew me in and refused to let go. The Blu-ray edition is just as extraordinary. It offers fans 2D and 3D versions of the film, a top-tier video transfer, a powerful DTS-HD Master Audio track, three exclusive Picture-in-Picture tracks, and a satisfying supplemental package. This release will certainly find a spot on my list of the best Blu-ray releases of 2009. Don't miss this opportunity to add it to your collection.
Limited Edition Gift Set
2009
Exclusive with Panasonic 3D HDTVs
2009
2009
2009
Academy Awards O-Sleeve
2009
2009
2009
2009
2008
Tinker Bell
2012
2014
Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1959
2011
The Signature Collection
1940
60th Anniversary Edition
1951
2010
2010
Rental Copy
1940
70th Anniversary Special Edition
1941
Limited Edition Collector's Set
1982
2009
2012
2013
Diamond Edition
1953
2010
2019
25th Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1991
1982