Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are

I don't want to know how Spike Jonze made Where the Wild Things Are. I'd rather simply simmer in the joy of having watched it unfold before my eyes.

Where the Wild Things Are is a startling achievement from a director with a clear vision and the strength to see it through. Working from -- but not slavishly adapting -- Maurice Sendak's beloved children's classic, Jonze has made a movie that can't help but create controversy because of its utter simplicity, which masks layers of complexity.

Some will see it as a movie about nothing, when in fact it is a movie about everything.

In the simplest story terms, the film doesn't stray that far from the source material. Max (Max Records), who looks about 10 and favors his "wolf" suit -- a shaggy one-sy with a tail and a hood with ears -- first tangles with his mother (Catherine Keener), then flees the house and the block, hiding in a vacant lot where he finds -- what?

A sailboat and an ocean. Simple as that. He boards the boat, sails for a night and a day, and winds up on an island, where he meets the Wild Things. They're large, furry or feathered monsters, comparable to the creatures called monsters on "Sesame Street" (though perhaps a shade more ferocious). They have names like Carol, Judith, Ira and Douglas -- and they're a melancholy bunch until Max makes his appearance.

Max crowns himself king of the Wild Things, then announces, "Let the wild rumpus start!" signaling a round of unfettered play. They romp, they quarrel, they reconcile -- and then Max decides it's time to go home. So he does. The end.

Yet within that uncluttered framework lies the entire interior life of a 10-year-old and who he will become. The Wild Things may be several times Max's size, but they are at his level socially and psychologically, with the same fears and quirks of Max's age group. Which makes sense: They are creatures of his imagination -- and in creating a group of imaginary friends, he would want them to all have something in common.

Jonze and his cowriter, Dave Eggers, essentially create a huge, unsupervised playdate between the new kid and a group of his peers, who he quickly wins over. Inevitably, his insertion into this gathering creates certain jealousies and insecurities among the old group, who have issues of their own. Gradually, those problems come to the fore -- and the group eventually sorts them out.

Continued...

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Comments

[Catch22isms]

From the first few seconds I saw this preview I knew what it was and couldn't wait to see it - with everything going right now in the world it will be a welcome respite to sit in a theater and feel 10 again. I'd love to take my nephew to see this - he's about 8 and I'm not sure if he'd think this is cool.

[jefry]

I was watched that trailer and I can not wait till that movie is coming out. I will go to see it with my mother. My brother also wanted to see it but I do not know can he understand the movie as he is still 8 months baby.

http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/in-theaters/where-the-wild-things-are-movie-he-becomes-the-king-of-wildness

[getoffthecross]

There will be plenty of time to introduce your little brother to these wonders, Jefry. For now, go and enjoy it with your mom and relish the anticipation of sharing it later. ; )

[believethelie]

I feel the same way Jefry, I can not wait till that movie is coming out. I will go see it and tell all my friends to go see it too

[mlaiuppa]

It's a real positive that the author approves of and loves the movie that's been made. That doesn't happen very often.

[JGatsby]

I saw a preview for this a long time ago and it looked just awful. But you can't always judge a movie by its preview. The book was great, I'll definitely see this.

[ReesieKitty]

We cannot wait to see this. The book is an old favorite of ours. I saw an interview with Maurice Sendak, the author and he also said how much he loved the movie, for not trying to be a copy of his book, but for honoring the spirit and the story so well. So if he has given it his blessing, that's good enough for me!