Before I begin my review, I just want to say that I'm surprised with the consternation renting a non-Pixar animated film causes people.  As if the instant one passes a certain age you're just supposed to give up all that cartoon nonsense.  Anyway.

I'm going to try not to sound like an absolutely deranged fanboy in this review, but "Coraline" was absolutely fantastic from start to finish.  In terms of plot, characters, film form, and especially the technical achievements that it embodies in every shot, this movie was incredible.  To begin with, the plot.  The story was so intriguing because of the unique properties of a mash-up between child-like adventurous imagination, and the more mature worry that nothing is really as good as it seems.  Some of the best movies that have essentially revolved around a fairy tale of late (Pan's Labyrinth is a good example) have employed this contrast between youthful wonder and mature suspicion to great effect, and "Coraline" uses this theme to great ends.

The characters of "Coraline" are also incredibly well-drawn and nuanced for a shorter film.  Coraline herself is obviously the one who is the most fleshed out, and I liked her specifically because she was such a challenge to figure out sometimes.  I have to admit, at the beginning of the film I found her to be a little stuck-up and annoying, as she was absolutely unwilling to do anything to change her poor situation.  Gradually, though, her maturity and good sense broke through and I found myself truly concerned for her and her plight.  All of the side characters are utilized almost perfectly as well, with everyone being used just the right amount and right when needed.  If the somewhat bizarre scenery didn't give the film away as a Tim Burton work, the side characters (especially Mr. Bobinski) certainly would.  All of them are put in place to deliver good comic relief and to ensure that the story flows well and mirrors Coraline's adventures in the "Other World."

Finally, the technical achievement alone of this movie should be enough to make it worth watching.  Considering the vast amount of the movie's animation was done with stop motion claymation, the fact that all of the sets, designs, and characters flow so well and were crafted so intricately is simply baffling.  I can't even begin to imagine the type of work that had to go into making the animation work, let alone the painstaking job of actually making all the animation models.  Even in the few instances towards the end of the film when some CGI is used, the artistry and technical prowess of the film are undeniable and eye-poppingly gorgeous.  Words cannot easily express how beautiful the animation is on this film and the sheer amount of work which must have gone into making it flow and looks as dazzling as it did.  And I must say, since I rented the film, I didn't even have the chance to see the film in 3D!  If the animation is already luscious and beautiful in all respects on a regular screen, 3D must add another layer of complexity that makes me wish that I had been able to catch "Coraline" while it was in the theaters.

I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a great movie to watch.  No matter what your perspective, the film has enough adventure and depth to make this movie considerably more dense the "candy-coating" of an animated film would normally appear to be.  Now I held it in but here it is:

P.S. OMG OMG OMG SO AWESOME BUY IT RENT IT WATCH IT JUST GET IT INTO YOUR BRAIN SOMEHOW