Here by way of poisoninjest's post on Coraline--I just wanted to say how much I agree with what you've written here. There was a lot about the film that I really loved (and oh my goodness, the opening sequence was terrifying!), but I was rather disappointed by Coraline's needing to be rescued in the film, and by the way her parents were portrayed. I really *liked* the fact that in the novel, Coraline's parents were more "nice but distracted and forgetful" instead of saying things to her like, "He cooks, I clean, and you stay out of the way." (!!!) Even little girls with decent families can sometimes fantasize about having Other Parents.