Hauntedly Ever After

Posted on February 4, 2009 
Filed Under Art, Film, SOMA

cartoonmuseum_coraline1Call me a traditionalist, but I’ve always preferred the more old-fashioned modes of film-making. We’ve made some amazing advances with the advent of digital photography and CGI, true, but there’s no substitute for realism. As schlocky as it may have come across the first-time out, Jabba the Hutt was just infinitely creepier before he got the digi-treatment. With all due respect to Mr. Lucas, there was no magic without those puppets. I might be fighting a losing battle here, but something tells me Jim Henson’s got my back.

Now the Portland-based animation studio LAIKA is set to bewitch me and a myriad of other believers with Coraline. We are invited to follow the story of a young girl who discovers a secret door to a parallel world with spooky similarities to her own. Coraline promises to deliver the tried and true grass-is-always-greener parable in unusual nightmarish design. Director Henry Selick is the visionary mind behind the cult classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”  But, this time out, he’s taking his audience on a more interactive ride with 3-D. Selick looks to “expand the other world, draw people into the screen.” An enticing ticket, no question.

For a limited time, The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco is showcasing a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the intricate world of the LAIKA art department. Browse through production stills, illustrators’ concept sketches and an impressive array of real puppets. This is silver screen magic at its up close and personal best. It may not be the next Muppet movie but Coraline looks certain to become a classic all its own.

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Coraline opens in theaters Friday, February 6. The Art of Coraline is on exhibit through February 15 at the Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission Street, SF. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. (415) 227-8666.

—Michael

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