Worth the price of admission, or a waste of time? Brian McKechnie and Suzanne Ellis offer you their take on the latest movies hitting screens. Read their reviews every Friday, exclusively on CityNews.ca.

Let Brian and Suzanne know what you think of His Take/Her Take via email at brian.mckechnie@citynews.ca or suzanne.ellis@citynews.ca.

CORALINE 

Rated PG
Voices: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Ian McShane.
Directed by: Henry Selick
Official Site IMDb

Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) finds a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life on the other side. This other life appears perfect at first but soon turns dangerous, and her other parents (including her Other Mother) try to keep her forever. Based on Neil Gaiman's international best-selling book, Coraline is the first stop-motion animated film to be originally filmed in 3D.

Brian's Take

**** out of 5 stars

I was quite excited to see Coraline.  Director Henry Selick helmed The Nightmare Before Christmas (not Tim Burton like some think) which has earned a spot as one of my favourite films. He also did the lesser praised but still great James and the Giant Peach adaptation. He has a certain vision and I like it. Coraline is also the latest film to be released in 3D and the gimmick mixed with the stop-motion animation looks beautiful. Unlike My Bloody Valentine 3D, the 3D gimmick doesn't detract from the story in Coraline though (and the story is what makes it work). The film can be very dark at times and might scare some younger children, but the darkness will keep older kids (and adults) intrigued. It's a fantastic film and a must see in the theatre.

Suzanne's Take

**** out of 5 stars

Before Coraline my 3D experience was limited to the mighty cheesy Captain EO, a sci-fi thriller starring Michael Jackson that was released way back in 1986. Any skepticism I might have had entering the theatre and putting on my Wayfarer-esque glasses was quickly erased in the film's beautiful opening. Spider-like fingers stitch together a ragged doll with button eyes, and send it floating into the night sky to an unknown recipient. We soon learn that the doll is intended for Coraline, a young girl who has just moved to a rickety old mansion in Oregon with her workaholic parents who barely acknowledge her existence. She soon discovers a door leading to a magical world that seems too good to be true -- an alternate reality where her 'other' parents cater to her every whim. The message here is 'Be careful what you wish for,' and Coraline soon discovers that this perfect world is anything but. Directed by Henry Selick ( The Nightmare Before Christmas, James And The Giant Peach), and based on a children's novel by fantasy writer Neil Gaiman ( Sandman series, American Gods), Coraline is the first ever stop-motion 3D film and it's jaw-droppingly beautiful at times. There are some frightening moments in this film, which parents should be aware of before taking their younger children. But it's also vibrant, funny, and full of life. The best part is, the 3D is utilized in a way that only adds to the depth and richness of the film - it's not there for cheap thrills. And unlike animated features full of current pop culture references that will date in a few years, the story of Coraline is timeless. It would be just fine as a 2D film, but for the best experience see it in 3D.

Check out Suzanne's interview with Neil Gaiman for CityNews.ca.

Still from Coraline courtesy Alliance Films.