When we think of animated films, we think of children and children’s stories, however, there are cases where animation goes further and manages to captivate adult audiences, Coraline and the Secret World (2009) is a clear example, because it is a children’s film that has sown terror in some children and fury in adults. It may not be a very childish film, but it is intended for children who have a mature kaleidoscope that allows them to appreciate its magic.
The mysterious plot and its aesthetic environment make the film a complex story for certain ages. The animation, performed using the stop motion technique, resembles some of Tim Burton’s films, such as Jack’s Strange World and Corpse Bride. However, although many believe the film is signed by Burton, the reality is that little or nothing had to do with it.
- This particular aesthetic.
- So burtonian and so gothic.
- Has a reason: it’s no coincidence that we think of other Burton films: Coraline’s director and the secret world.
- Henry Selick.
- Has long been Tim’s right-hand man and.
- Although it seems impossible.
- He was the one who directed the mythical The Strange World of Jack.
- Not Burton.
- It is true that jack’s Strange World’s original idea arose from a poem written by Burton.
- But the address went to Selick.
- With Burton as producer.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the two directors draw on the common influences of their work together, and that they have given that special and characteristic touch to stop motion animation.
Coraline and the secret world is a real visual delight, a gift for our most childish fantasy. The story is reminiscent of others such as The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland; girls who find themselves immersed in a strange adventure, where they will face their greatest fears until they reach maturity, wisdom.
Coraline is a girl whose parents, very engrossed in her work, have little time for her. Like Alice, will you discover a new secret world, a wonderful world that will gradually darken?
Coraline just moved in with her parents to an old house divided into apartments, away from the city and without friends. In this document, you are bored and lonely: you would like to be somewhere else. His parents, though working in a botanical catalogue. , have a totally sloppy garden, are very busy and cannot repair the old house, so it is not a cozy place, quite the opposite.
Neighbors include Mr. Bobinsky, a Russian acrobat who is responsible for training rats; Ladies Spink and Forcible, two strange retired actresses obsessed with dogs; and Wybie, the hostess’s grandson, a coraline-age boy, too talkative for her taste. Wybie gives Coraline a strange rag doll dressed like her.
In addition to these eccentric characters who don’t like Coraline that much, there’s a carefree-looking black cat wybie takes care of, but we’ll soon find out he’s more than a feline. One night, Mouse-guided Coraline discovers something extraordinary: a small secret door that leads to what appears to be 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 two parents totally dedicated to their daughter. From the food to the neighbors, everything seems to have improved as we walked. the little door; In this new and improved world, everyone has their alter ego, an almost exact copy that has buttons instead of eyes. Everyone except Coraline and the cat.
This feature doesn’t seem to matter much to Coraline, because her life, anyway, is like she’s always dreamed of. The character that catches our eye the most is Wybie, or “The Other Wybie?”Because this time the other mother got engaged, to improve it to make her Coraline’s ideal companion. Wybie can’t talk, but he’s the most revealing character because he seems to show a little fear of “the other mother. “
In “Outro Mundo”, the cat remains the same, has no buttons and enters through the door with Coraline; However, when she walks through the door, the cat shows Coraline her ability to speak and become a kind of spiritual guide for her, an essential help in guiding her through danger.
Does everything look perfect in another world? Until Coraline discovers that souls trapped by other children, who lived a long time ago, including Wybie’s grandmother’s sister, live there, why does everyone have buttons?Like the ‘?Another mother?
The film acquires an increasingly dark tone as one discovers the evil intentions of “the other mother”, as we discover that this beauty of “the other world” is nothing more than an illusion, a trap to catch girls like Coraline.
Coraline and the secret world is full of metaphors that aim to dismantle the superficiality of appearances, to show us that not everything is what it seems. Coraline’s doll is nothing more than a puppet of the “other mother”, a tool he uses to spy on the girl and discover all her secrets. “The eyes are the mirror of the soul?and, apart from her children, the “other mother” is able to capture her soul for eternity.
Similarly, the black cat acts as a guide with the most spiritual part of Coraline, with his true feelings, and will make him see that this?Another World? It’s not as perfect as it sounds.
Wybie’s real name is Wyborne, a word game that refers to why was he born?(Why was he born?). He lives with his grandmother and we don’t know anything about his parents, which makes us think that his childhood probably wasn’t easy, these two characters who initially spawned rejection in Coraline will become the key to escaping and defeating the other mother. “.
Coraline despises Wybie and the cat for their appearance, as well as their eccentric neighbors who find them annoying and very strange, it is true that none of these characters are perfect, they are not even able to call it by name and everyone believes that their name is Caroline, but the perfection that exists in that “other world” is nothing more than a dangerous temptation.
When Coraline discovers that her real parents are in danger and that the other mother has only used her, they will awaken in her their true feelings, accepting people as they are, discovering that he is not perfect either. Coraline will overcome her, fears and struggle to save them, showing her “another mother” that this love goes beyond appearances.
It is not only a lesson for the girl, but also for very strict parents and these busy families who have little time for their children. In a world where we don’t have time for anything, we sometimes neglect the most important thing and forget about fundamental values. Thus, Coraline and the secret world is a film that, in addition to its fascinating aesthetics, manages to captivate adult audiences.
“They say that even the proudest spirit can bow with love. ” – Coraline and the secret world.