In the scene where the tunnel to the other world is introduced, we get this sense of fantasy and mystery. This effectively shows the theme of looks can be deceiving. As the tunnel to the other is used to entice Coraline's curiosity.
For example the real world where Coraline’s from is dull, grey and boring. This is Coraline's first ‘introduction’ to the other world as it is not some boring thing from her world. We also see this when she sees the other mother for the first time, she is shown with warm and welcoming colours. Having a hard contrast to her real mother.
This shows that the other world was made to excite Coraline. This makes the audience think of the other world as this mystical, magical thing. The audience feels the sense of caution but also curiosity as to what this tunnel leads to. At the end of the film we understand that the tunnel was an illusion that looks can be deceiving.
The director did this to make the other world appear as this wonderful place. The purpose of this is to contribute to the theme of looks and can be deceiving. This was done to show that even if some appears as this mystical, magical thing it can be dangerous.
Coinciding with the theme of looks can be deceiving this tunnel to the other showed this. This worked well with the theme because the entrance to the other world deceived Coraline with its bright and mystical colours. Combined with the other world in general the whole world was made to deceive its prey. So when Coraline recognises the other for it is the tunnel changes. Meaning that the illusion is gone and it’s not deceiving Coraline anymore.
Why did Wybie through the hand into the well when he didn’t know what it was?
In this scene a close up shot is used. This is used to frame the other mother with this sense of power. This is used effectively because of the other mother's demanding pose and demeanor.
For example later the other mother is framed to have power over Coraline looking down at her.
This makes the audience feel the other mothers' power over Coraline.
The director did this to show that the illusion of the other world is falling apart.
This worked well with looks and can be deceiving because now the other mother doesn’t car and is dropping the illusion of being Coraline's perfect mother.
In this scene Coraline is crawling back into the tunnel that first brought her to the other world.
This effectively shows the illusion of the other world has dropped.
This is demonstrated in the way the tunnel is lighted. It no longer has those bright colours and doesn’t interest Coraline's curiosity.
The director did this to show the change on how Coraline views the other world, and how the illusion of the other world has dropped.
Another example is when the bright welcoming colours of the other fade show what the real other is.
In this scene a wide shot is used to show the pink palace.
This shows that after everything the pink palace is still standing.
For example at the start of the film the pink palace was shown in the rain. And was dark and dingy.
The director did this to show the aftermath of everything Coraline went through. And that she has changed her view of the pink palace.
Coinciding the theme of looks can be deceiving the pink palace first appeared to Coraline as this horrible place that she hates. But now after everything she is grateful and sees the pink palace as her home.
