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News / Columns / Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus: Coraline Is Certified Fresh
Plus, the critics just aren't that into He's Just Not That Into You, Pink Panther 2, and Push, to varying degrees.
by Tim Ryan | February 05, 2009
Discuss Article

This week at the movies, we've got dark whimsy (Coraline, with voice work by Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher); love mishaps (He's Just Not That Into You, starring Jennifer Aniston and Scarlett Johansson); a bumbling detective (The Pink Panther 2, starring Steve Martin and Aishwarya Rai) and some paranormal antagonists (Push, starring Chris Evans and Djimon Hounsou). What do the critics have to say?

88%
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Fresh

Coraline

If any proof were needed that 3-D movies have entered a bold new era, the critics say Coraline is it; this stylistically bold, emotionally resonant stop-motion flick is a twisted marvel. Directed by Henry Selick (who helmed the bewitchingly macabre The Nightmare Before Christmas) and based upon the best seller by Neil Gaiman, Coraline follows the phantasmagoric exploits of the title character (voiced by Dakota Fanning), a bored 11-year-old who discovers a door in her house that leads to a parallel version of her life -- one that at first is enchanting, but soon threatens to entrap our hero. The pundits say Coraline is one of the most visually dazzling pictures to come along in many a moon, and it's anchored by a delightfully twisted storyline. It's not only Certified Fresh, it's also the best-reviewed wide release of the year so far. (Be forewarned, however; the scribes say this film may be too scary for small children.)


44%
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Rotten

He's Just Not That Into You

He's Just Not That Into You is the latest in a long line of romantic comedies that attempt to navigate the complexities of modern relationships. The movie's problem, critics say, is that by juggling so many plot threads it ends up giving a short shrift to characterization and insight. An embarrassment of talented actors (including Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Connelly) play Baltimore residents who are attempting to find the perfect match, but are regularly stymied by self-questioning and unreturned phone calls. The pundits say the film is bogged down by the fact that there's too much going on for the characters to emerge as three-dimensional personalities, thus reducing its talented thespians (despite their best efforts) to playing stereotypes.


13%
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Rotten

The Pink Panther 2

As the self-important, supremely incompetent, and impenetrably-accented Inspector Clouseau, Peter Sellers created one of the most memorable comic characters of modern times. Steve Martin is a very funny guy too, but critics say that's not enough to redeem The Pink Panther 2's uninspired script and tired gags. In the second installment starring Martin, Clouseau is enlisted into a team of super detectives in order to track down some priceless cultural artifacts that have been purloined by a rogue named the Tornado. The pundits say that like its predecessor, The Pink Panther 2 is a "beumb"; it's aimlessly plotted and emphasizes lame slapstick gags at the expense of the considerable talents of Martin, John Cleese, Lily Tomlin, Jeremy Irons, and Aishwarya Rai, among others. (Check out this week's Total Recall, in which we explore Martin's best-reviewed movies, and click here for co-star Jean Reno's five favorite films.)


23%
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Rotten

Push

Establishing a credible science fiction world -- especially one containing characters with super abilities -- is a tall order. Unfortunately, critics say Push isn't up to it, squandering an intriguing premise with hyperkinetic pacing and a general lack of coherence. Chris Evans plays Nick, who has remarkable paranormal powers and finds himself on the run from unseemly government agents, including the dangerous Henry (Djimon Hounsou), who want to utilize his abilities for their own means. The pundits say that despite director Paul McGuigan's visual flair, Push is really hard to follow, with a convoluted script and an excess of style. (Check out our interview with McGuigan, in which he shares his five favorite films with RT.)


Also opening this week in limited release:

  • Chocolate, a bizarre Thai martial arts flick about an autistic girl with remarkable fighting skills, is at 71 percent.
  • Our City Dreams, a documentary about a year in the life of five female artists in New York City, is at 67 percent.
  • The road trip comedy Fanboys, which follows several Star Wars fanatics on their quest to see The Phantom Menace before its release, is at 27 percent.
  • Memorial Day, a mockumentary about a group of hard-partying soldiers and their bad behavior on leave and in Iraq, is at 14 percent.

Related Items
Movie: Push
He's Just Not That Into You
The Pink Panther 2
Memorial Day
Chocolate
Our City Dreams
Fanboys
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Comments (1-20 of 28 posts) | Reply
lancerbird13
lancerbird13 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 04:42 PM

Coraline was really fantastic, with some of the best uses of 3D I've seen yet. Another Pink Panther? Meh, I'll pass.

(Reply to this)
ledawg1138
ledawg1138 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 04:52 PM

"Coraline" looks really good, I'll be seeing it. It will probaly be the only movie I'll see this month. Better than nothing. "Pink Panther 2" has John Cleese I believe. And during his own eulogy, he bashed the first. ("Have you seen the Pink Panther?") Not interested. "Push" looks pretty unorginal, and "He's Just Not That Into You" looks like the worst of the bunch. At least there's "Coraline".

(Reply to this)
Bloody Mathias
Bloody Mathias writes:
on Feb 05 2009 04:57 PM

Yeah, you're pretty much an idiot in my book if you see any of these flicks other than Coraline.

(Reply to this)
MizzleBrizzle
MizzleBrizzle writes:
on Feb 05 2009 04:58 PM

Can't wait to see Coraline early tomorrow. Nothing else looks worth a glance.

(Reply to this)
knowingtoast85
knowingtoast85 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 05:09 PM

Coraline
Taken
Where the Wild Things Are
Funny People

That's my whole "anticipated" list for 2009.


(Reply to this)
the_don_of_yreka
the_don_of_yreka writes:
on Feb 05 2009 05:38 PM

Fanboys got a rotten rating? This movie took too long to come out. Damm you Weinsteins!

(Reply to this)
Some guy you dont know
Some guy you dont know writes:
on Feb 05 2009 06:38 PM

In reply to this comment (#2303244)
Kill yourself.

(Reply to this)
ledawg1138
ledawg1138 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 07:20 PM

Bruce Cambell might be overstating that, but seriously, what about "Watchmen" or "Up", just to name a few.

(Reply to this)
kenny356
kenny356 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 07:44 PM

I'm all about Coraline this weekend, that and the Wrestler finally mada it to my town, so I guess I have two movies to see this weekend.

(Reply to this)
sergal4
sergal4 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 07:50 PM

Scarlett Johansson "actress"actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created illegally using stolen biomaterial.Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice, CHRISTIAN young lady.

(Reply to this)
tomwaitsjr
tomwaitsjr writes:
on Feb 05 2009 07:53 PM

I can't wait to see WATCHMEN.

Plus, I have a serious crush on Zhang Ziyi, so I'm hoping "The Horsemen" will come to a theater near me.


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 08:37 PM

I am dying to see Coraline, I am still a big Henry Sellick fan even though I hated Monkey Bone which wasn't even his fault. I am actually going to go 45 minutes out of my way to see it in 3D, I bet the movie would still be awesome in 2D but I a bet 3D is the way to see it and I haven't seen a 3D movie in years.

(Reply to this)
ledawg1138
ledawg1138 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 08:54 PM

In reply to this comment (#2303460)
Oh yeah, "Moneybone", haven't seen that in years... God I hate that. But "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is one of my favorite films, so I can forgive him.

(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 05 2009 09:26 PM

In reply to this comment (#2303471)
Yeah he got really screwed over on Monkey Bone, studio tampering. He also did James and The Giant Peach which I think is pretty underrated.

(Reply to this)
MizzleBrizzle
MizzleBrizzle writes:
on Feb 05 2009 09:49 PM

Anybody who has only 4 films on his 'anticipated' list for an entire year either doesn't like movies or is being a moron. Anyway, don't let January and February get you down. Hey, Coraline is an unusual blessing for this time of year, I think (haven't seen it yet, so I should reserve judgement, eh).

(Reply to this)
agtatoo@netzero.net
agtatoo@netzero.net writes:
on Feb 05 2009 10:24 PM

I'm for Coraline, it looks cool. If I don't see it in theaters, I will get in on DVD. Futhermore, I have no better expectations for Push (despite Chris Evan being the star) I'm guessing because theme to the movie doesn't seem original to me, I've seen to many movies about people with superpowers in superhero movies. And I'm just not into "He's Just Not That Into You."

Looking foward to March's line-up, which includes the "Watchmen"!


(Reply to this)
Hans M.
Hans M. writes:
on Feb 06 2009 04:30 AM

I'm very looking forward to Coraline. The combo of writer and director boded well, and it seems it will do really well. I'll def. catch in 3D. I'm still regretting missing Bolt completely, especially since I heard the 3D in that was good. We won't pass this one up!

No other new releases this week ever seemd to have been worth seeing and the reviews certainly emphasize that idea-- road trip for Phantom Meanace? How dated is that?


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 06 2009 07:27 AM

"And I'm just not into "He's Just Not That Into You."
LOL what a bad critic line


(Reply to this)
v-alexander-the-great
v-alexander-the-great writes:
on Feb 06 2009 09:15 AM

Ugh, nothing good this weekend, again. I'm with the general consensus on the garbage big three, but I am also vehemently against Coraline. It's one of those lame 'dark' animated movies that gets an annoying cult following of artsy teens who shop at Hot Topic. Yech.

(Reply to this)
vitajex
vitajex writes:
on Feb 06 2009 09:59 AM

In reply to this comment (#2304233)
Those kids don't have time for 'Coraline' as they are too busy reading 'Twilight' books and cutting themselves.

'Chocolate' could be good if it can tap into any of that Tony Ja 'Ong-Bak' or even 'Suryothai' energy.

The Thai are making some interesting films this decade. Anybody see 'Tears of the Black Tiger'? I highly recommend it if you liked 'Sukiyaki Western Django'.


(Reply to this)
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