Where The Wild Things Are

Wild Things, I think I Like You.

[Max Records, Catherine Keener]

Kids are fickle. I sat in the movie theatre today watching the trailers prior to viewing Spike Jonze's long anticipated effort and smiled when the heard the little girl sitting a row behind me ask her mother, "When is the movie going to start?". Apparently the kids are anticipating this movie too, but I am sure for reasons of their own besides a production plagued with troubles or a growing budget. I have a feeling they just wanted to see the Wild Things.

An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler. Spike Jonze changes the story to better suit a big screen, while being faithful to Carol, Ira, KW and the rest. The film is beautifully shot, the Wild Things are amazing to look at and to watch, and Max Records plays his namesake with equal parts anger and wonder.

Remember that little girl I mentioned? She also asked her mother after the first 20 minutes of the film when she "was going to see the Wild Things". Even though Spike Jonze did a tremendous job with adapting this children's story, I do not feel its a movie for little children. Don't get me wrong, the movie was heart-felt, inspiring laughter and tears from yours truly and provided its share of monster hi-jinx, but the story of guardians lost and found and lost again, the issues of the resulting anger in boy and monster alike, and the realizations of what real family is, just may be heavier than a 6 year old may appreciate. The rest of us, though, will definitely truly understand where the wild things are -- in our hearts and minds.

Worth: DVD or Netflix