DVD review: Coraline, Henry Selick, 101 mins (PG)

Eleven-year-old Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is dismayed and lonely after being forced to move to Oregon, and wishes her parents had more time to spend with her.

So when she finds a mysterious door in their house that leads to a parallel, happier world, it appears her prayers have been answered... yet all is not as it seems. Thankfully, this children's film doesn't underestimate the ability of its audience to cope with being scared, and the result is a beautiful yet sinister animated tale. Coraline is full of memorable characters (French and Saunders, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane all lend their voices), but it is the inventive stop-motion animation that is the real star. Coraline is a refreshing treat for all generations.