Coraline

Released in 2009. Directed by Harry Selick. Produced by Laika, distributed by Focus Features.

This is what they mean by crossover appeal (well, among the many, many definitions, apparently). I saw Coraline in 3D with a group of friends, all of us in our 20s and 30s. Elsewhere in the dark theatre we could hear small kids making occasional comments. I'm pretty sure we all loved it.

Coraline is a young girl (I'm not sure how old she is supposed to be, but I would put her at 11 or 12) who has just moved with her busy, distant parents to a small Oregon town. When the constant rain keeps her inside, she discovers a small door that leads to an alternate reality, one in which her parents are charming and entirely devoted to her amusement. At first this other world is delightful, and provides for Coraline all of the things she feels she is missing at home (foremost being attention). Upon closer inspection the new reality is much darker than she is prepared for, and her wits are tested as she struggles to make her way back to her real parents.

Coraline is visually so new, appealing, and spellbinding, that I think even skeptical teenagers will be able to look past the fact that it is animated (and could thus potentially be relegated to the world of "kid stuff"). Young teens will definitely be drawn to the film's style and themes (Coraline's battles with her mother(s) are something I think most adolescent girls will relate to), and older teens will appreciate the film's mastery of form and its pedigree (originally born as a Neil Gaiman novella, then a graphic novel).

Seeing Coraline in 3D is something I highly recommend - it sort of felt like I was in the audience of a 1895 showing of the Lumiere Brothers's Arrival of A Train - the experience was so new and real. Even on DVD, however, I have no doubt that this film will wow audiences of all ages.

9/10.
Ages 10+ (rated PG).