News flash: Tim Burton did not direct or write The Nightmare Before Christmas!  Yes, he wrote the short story that it was based upon.  And yes, all the movie posters for the film say “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” on them.  Hence all the confusion for the masses...

The true genius behind Nightmare... was Henry Selick, and the poor guy hasn’t gotten any of the credit he deserves (hopefully his paychecks for its never-ending residuals make up for that fact).  You’ll probably notice that every bit of marketing behind Coraline has drawn attention to the fact that Selick is indeed the guy who brought Nightmare... to life.  And with Coraline, he’s back in the game of vastly imaginative other worlds, and the sweet, unique look of claymation.

But don’t be fooled - this is no kids’ movie.  In fact, the kids that were in the theater where I saw the movie were scared and crying.  Sweet mothers that turn into scary witches, kipnapped parents, cute mice that turn into toothy rats, beautiful fairy-tale world that transform into abstract nothingness...  It’s a bumpy ride for little ones.

That said, all you adults (and bratty, ungrateful 13 year-olds) should definitely see the film, as it’s very well-crafted - and a delightfully original story.