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Where The Wild Things Are
Directed by: Spike Jonze Starring: Max Records Genre: Fantasy Run Time: 101 min. Release Date: October 2009 On The Web: Official Site Teaser: Movie Trailer Reviewed by Byron Merritt |
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is a kids movie that isn’t for kids. Let me explain... The short, children’s story that this film is based on (written by Maurice Sendak) has been a favorite of many kids. Note, however, that most of those children are now grown adults with fond memories of the book. I can remember reading it myself about ten dozen times when I was growing up, so I have just as fond of memories as the next person. But this movie isn’t for modern-day kids. And this is where much of the confusion will lay for those who decide to take their preteens to see it. The message of this film is deep. VERY deep. In fact, most kids (and probably some adults) will have difficulties capturing it. This is probably why Warner Brothers Studios had such a big problem with director Spike Jonze’s final cut. It isn’t a family movie, but the book most definitely is. This is a movie about the angst of growing up and into teen-hood. This lonely journey is often rife with internal turmoil, a dash of Oedipus complex, and the releasing of deep-seeded childhood emotions, and all of this is shown on some level via the artistic tapestry that is this movie. And it is done very well in the artistic department. Little known actor Max Records plays Max, this boy who’s vivid imagination allows the rumpus to begin. Running away from his mother after a bitter argument (and a biting one), Max flees to his imaginary world Where The Wild Things Are. This analogy is taken to extremes as we see all of Max’s emotions doled out by the Wild Creatures he’s created. The most recognizable will be Carol (voiced by James Gandolfini) as Max’s angry and self-indulgent alter-ego. He tears down anything he doesn’t like anymore, and this is precisely how the young Max feels about the real world he’s left behind. KW (voiced by Lauren Ambrose) is the Oedipus portion of Max, and much can be gleaned from this when we see KW carry in two owl friends who Max only hears squawking (indicating he doesn’t understand his mother’s friends). The other Wild Things are in various stages of redirection as Max tries to work through his rough emotional state. Should he remain King of this Wild Place or return to become a budding teenager with real-world responsibilities? Again, the message isn’t in-your-face — which isn’t necessarily a bad thing — but it’s also very far removed from what most movie-goers will think of as a "kids film." Again, not necessarily a bad thing but, parents, be prepared to answer some tough questions about what the movie was supposed to be about. This isn’t some insipidly, force-it-down-your-throat message, which is refreshing, but the message is so far down the rabbit-hole that you might not be able to explain it adequately to the younger amongst your family. Just something to be mindful of. The movie is loaded with violence, including ripping trees apart, thumping heads with dirt clods, and the yanking off of a monster’s extremity. Be forewarned. Like I said, this is a kids movie that isn’t for kids. It’s for those kids who are now grown up and have fond memories of the book. So if you’re a parent who saw the cuddly looking beasts and the young Max chatting with them, and thought that this would be a good matinee to take the kiddies to ...think again. Even so, the artistry of the film was absolutely astounding. It’s also quite a sad film (some people were sniffling next to me in the theater). The darkness of the Wild World was initially foreboding but eventually comes to life as Max interacts with his internal creatures. The fort they build is something to make the mouth drop, and the desert scenes were flat-out gorgeous. Which is why I enjoyed it so much. That, and it let me remember what it was like to be a messed up kid again.
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Image from Where The Wild Things Are
DVD cost: $35.95 Purchase: Tower.com (Blu-Ray) Film Review Stew Favorite? No. Stew Poo-Poo? No. Newsworthy: Initially, Warner Brothers studio was so unhappy with Spike Jonze's final movie (it was much less family friendly than they imagined) that they wanted to re-shoot the whole $75 milion project in early 2008. Jonze was eventually given some more time and money by the studio in order to make the final product satisfying to both the studio and himself. Movie Quote: "It's going to be a place where only the things you want to happen, would happen."
Other Actors/Actresses from Where The Wild Things Are
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Images from Where The Wild Things Are
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