Review: Where The Wild Things Are
October 19, 2009 - By Bobby Solomon - Category: Films
Last Friday morning I took the bus down to the Arclight to see Where The Wild Things Are, something I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while. I saw the movie by myself, I guess in hopes that I could soak up the movie to the fullest. The build up for this movie is unlike any I’ve ever seen for a movie. I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect going into it, but I can say I was more than pleased and was immensely touched by the movie.
If you’ve seen the movie, keep reading under the cut for my thoughts on the movie. If you haven’t I suggest you go see it and then let me know what you think.
The best way I can describe this movie is like a dream, or maybe a memory. The movie starts out with Max running through the house and chasing the dog, just like the first page of the book. It shows just how out of control and crazy he is, and that’s the point, he’s a kid, he doesn’t need a motive. You start to see some glimpses of Max’s life; a sister who chooses friends over her little brother, a mom who works late to support the kids and a dad who’s no longer around for some reason. When Max catches his mom kissing who I assume is her boyfriend, Max starts to feel threatened and acts out, jumping on the kitchen counter and yelling at his mother, played by the amazing Catherine Keener. They both start freaking out and Max bites his mother, who in turn freaks out and causes Max to run away from home.
Obviously, this leads him on his own personal journey to Where The Wild Things Are, a place where he feels like he can fit in. The Wild Things as I understand them, are different aspects of his own personality, as well as the people in his life. During his time with the Wild Things he begins to learn things about himself and the people he loves. He starts to learn that the way he acted wasn’t probably the best way to handle things, and that he even though he’s only 8, he should still try to think of other people’s feelings before he acts out. Realizing his mistakes he sails back home where his mother is anxiously waiting for him with a hot dinner and a slice of cake.
For me, this was enough. It’s a small and poignant tale about a boy who figures out something about himself. That the world is hard and that we all have problems. For me the story doesn’t need to be any more complex then that, because good art doesn’t need to have depth. In a sense the movie reminded me of The Red Balloon, the 1956 French film which follows a boy and his red balloon. The movie has no dialogue whatsoever and it’s considered an absolute classic. In both films though you’re presented with a feeling of youth and excitement that’s hard to match.
I was really impressed with the Wild Things and the CGI and costuming that went along with them. There’s the part where the sleep in a pile, and Max talks to KW underneath them all. It’s a scene that feels absolutely real and flawless, and I didn’t once stop to think that he was talking to a giant puppet with a CGI face. I also thought the DP Lance Acord was flawless and absolutely beautiful. He gave it such a sense of life and beauty and I found myself grinning at many scenes for the sheer beauty.
I’d love to hear what you think, but please, if you want to comment write something intelligent. If you write “It sucked” or “It rocked” it’s probably going to be deleted. I don’t mind anyone disagreeing with me, but at least have a valid argument.
Bobby
Comments
If you've got something to say, keep it positive.i totally agree with everything you said. I was actually hoping you would write some type of review about the movie. My only gripe with the film was it’s soundtrack, which wasn’t bad at all, but i felt like the scenes were so nice and so well made that it really didn’t need music to accent it at all. But at the same time, that is very Spike Jonze to make a music video, something he normally does. So it was more appropriate than i had first thought. But really it was an aesthetic concern for me. Not a big deal really.
I loved this movie to death.. It was very emotional, but recollecting on everything i saw has captivated me so much more.
@K.Y. – Yeah I agree with you on the soundtrack thing, some nice ambient noise would have been really good for a lot of parts, but music is his roots.
I am really pleased to hear you enjoyed it – I’ve been a fan of Maurice Sendak my whole life, and very excited about this film besides, especially given the quality of the art we’ve been seeing.
Of course now I want to see it even more badly, but release dates in New Zealand hardly ever work in my favour :)
I’m quite shocked some people found the movie to be dull and boring because it “lacked a plot.”
Wait, these people do remember this is a full-length movie based on a 40-page children’s picture book? They also remember this is really a kid’s movie?
A full plot line was not needed. It felt good to leave the pace of every day life and float around in this wonderful land where an eight-year-old boy is a king of giant creatures and has the ability to make the sadness go away. A normal Hollywood plot would have taken away the innocence and sense of wonderment I felt when I left the theatre.
A couple years ago when I “reread” the book in my early adulthood, I was moved by the theme. I’m glad I was moved again with this movie.
I don’t particularly remember liking this book as a child, but decided to go see the movie anyway. The allure of the soundtrack, Spike Jonze, and beautiful cinematography was too much for me to miss. I was stunned by how well Jonze captured the feeling of loneliness from childhood, what it’s like when no one wants to play with you and no one acknowledges that your feelings are hurt. The dialogue was so true to the way children actually talk that I was blown away. I think this film was beautifully adapted from the book and will live on to be a great movie for all ages. I was very surprised by this film and am contemplating seeing it again.
I am really sort of surprised that all the reviews online (including this one) came away from the movie with the same message as I did. I know that I shouldn’t be, but maybe I am because the movie felt very private.
My husband seems torn on how he feels about the movie: he did like it, but said that it left him feeling depressed. I liked the message. The world can suck. You make friends and lose friends. Good things and bad things happen. And that’s really it. There’s a lot of wonder and cake in there, too.
I agree with most of what you said, the cinematography and the art direction was spot on. Those wooden structures the wild things made were awesome in their simplicity and scale. The only issue I had was that the Wild Things at times were a lil too self aware at times which took away from the idea of them all being facets of Max’s personality. Especially the bird and ram wild things (i dont remember their names). Definitely need to check it out again. Was the whole thing reminiscent of the kid scenes in eternal sunshine in tone, to anyone else?
Fantastic, resonant, beautiful, funny. A little slow in places.
Here’s my take: The scary, angry and inexplicable wild things are created by Max as he learns that adults are not infallible. Carol is Max’s missing father (he says ‘this world belongs to you’, the same as Max’s globe’s inscription from his Dad). KW is Max’s mother.
Simultaneously Carol is also Max and KW is his sister. Carol’s building of the miniature world where ‘only what we want to happen happens’, is a mirror of Max creating the wild thing universe. Carol’s anger at KW leaving the group mirrors Max’s anger at his sister.
FYI – There is a monster in the book who was cut from the film – he has human looking face with a red nose. In the movie production book he is called ‘Cy’. I’ve read someone say he shows up in the dirt clod fight.
I snuck away from my desk on Friday to see the movie in hopes to drink it all in, alone. I kind of selfishly didn’t want to share it with anyone just yet. I had been waiting since last spring! I found it to be totally in sync with the classic tale. (All weekend, each night falling asleep I found myself reciting the book in my head.)
I had my own battle within, as I watched, I kept looking/waiting for answers, solutions to all the problems in max’s relationships with the monsters only to realize that’s the whole point—not knowing the answers—but realizing aspects about your self and that things are never perfect. It’s what makes life beautiful.
I really can’t put it all into words but thank god jonze and sendak (and all the other amazing artists and talent) could illustrate it so.
Ooo laa la …
I liked this movie but not nearly as much as I thought I would. I just found most of the characters miserable and hard to watch. I agree with the dream statement, but I found it a bit to meandering and I didnt really connect to it. this film isnt for everyone.
great soundtrack and visuals though.
This was the most wonderful film I have seen in years. I was extremely excited and anxious the day before the release, that alone made me feel like a little boy once again, who couldn’t wait for school to see if his friends were in his class, or not being able to sleep because the next day was your birthday. During the film, I was immediately hit with a warm yet nostalgic feeling, I still cannot truly describe. I went to the film with my mom, which I found only appropriate. At certain scenes you could not wipe the smile off my face, at others my eyes were filled with tears. The beauty, the dialogue, and the expression in the faces of the wild things, especially Carol, just affected me greatly.
For anyone who was a huge fan, I please suggest going to a bookstore and purchasing the book, entitled Heads On & We Shoot – The Making Of Where The Wilds Things Are. This book gets really into depth about the pre production, acting selection, sets, costumes, and crew of the film. A true gem.
Bravo to Mr. Spike Jonze. Hope everyone was as touched by this masterpiece as I was!
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I really enjoyed the film. The cinematography was fantastic, stunning visuals in every imaginable way. Spike Jonze did a great job, and the screenplay was also very good. My only issue was that I went into the film thinking the world Max creates would be more escapist; I merely thought he was trying to escape the realities of his world (Sister, divorced mom, etc). What I didn’t expect was for him to learn real lessons from the world he creates, and for the world to be a somewhat sad one. Also, Max acts sort of like a brat in the beginning so it becomes harder for the audience to universally connect and become attached to the character.
Basically, i need to see it again, knowing what to expect from it this time. Then I think I could appreciate it more.
A film that can make so many people believe that it was meant solely for them is bound to ultimately be a classic. Box office hits rarely make for cinematic perfection, but Where the Wild Things Are was an exception to the rule. Theater lines stretched in wavy circles and winded out the doors, cinemas replaced other movies with the Wild Things reel and opened up more theaters to accommodate everyone, and at least 45% of the movie-goers were wearing crowns in honor of Max. The audience giggled, shed tears, winced, and had their hearts broken precisely when they were supposed to. The entire audience howled in solidarity as the credits rolled. A movie this emotionally rending and cinematically beautiful hasn’t come along in anyone’s recent memory, and with good reason. It is nearly impossible to craft a film like this.
Sequels and remakes run rampant in Hollywood. We are in a cinematic age where everything old is new again and brainstorming sessions never result in fresh ideas. With Wild Things, however, Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers created something bold and honest. This is a re-imagining, not a remake. This is a film that lets the viewer turn the pages on their own, when they are ready, and not a moment too soon. Jonze gives the viewer ample time to come to a conclusion that is right for them, and combined with Eggers’s dialogue, affords the viewer multiple personal epiphanies.
To quote Jonze himself, “This is not a children’s movie. This is a movie about childhood for adults.” Which means that unless you want your six year old to suffer from an existential crisis, this movie probably isn’t for him. Where the Wild Things Are is for the adult who memorized Sendak’s book backwards and forwards as a child, reading by flashlight under the covers. Where the Wild Things Are is for the adult who wants to investigate what kind of beasts lurk inside their psyche. Where the Wild Things Are is for anyone who isn’t afraid of the dark. Where the Wild Things Are was hand crafted specifically for you and your interpretation.
I took my five and seven year old to see Where the Wild Things Are yesterday morning with a bit of trepidation. I really wanted to enjoy it and didn’t know if they, especially the five year old, would end up being bored. We were all completely caught up and awestruck by this film. To say it isn’t a movie for children is to dismiss their already deep understanding of the crazy mix mash of emotions involved with being a kid. My seven year old was quiet in the car on the way home and I came out of my own inner musings about the movie to ask her what she thought. She said in a hushed tone, “that was the best movie ever”. It’s stark and often tense and beautiful and highly recommended for grown kids and real kids alike.
I haven’t seen the movie yet so I didn’t read your review yet either, but I did see a great documentary about Maurice Sendak on HBO that Spike Jonze and Lance Bangs put together. Here’s a link to what I wrote about it: http://www.farmidable.com/2009/10/20/tell-them-anything-you-want-a-portrait-of-maurice-sendak. I thought you may be interested if you haven’t already seen it. I was just fortunate enough to have free HBO for next few months.
This was bar far and away the worst movie I have ever seen! Seriously, it was dark, depressing, slow, boring, filled with disfuntion, strife and again very, very depressing.
My 4 and 6 year olds were very confused as to why we saw such a slow, depressing movie. DO NOT waste your time or your money unless you enjoy (very) boring, dark and depressing movies.
I am so upset I wasted 2 hours and $40.00 on this!
I have been waiting for this movie since I started reading this blog (’bout 3 years now!) and I have never been so excited for anything in my whole life.
I thought this was an amazing movie and I really hope to see it 500 more times.
I absolutely agree! I just got back from seeing the movie and I feel like a kid again! The moment I heard that line “don’t go, i’ll eat you up I love you so” I almost cried. I still can’t figure out how they managed to make the wild things so realistic and I loved how they let us get to know all of them at least a little. Alex is my favorite!!!
We decided to make it a family adventure on opening day and took our 4 and 6 year olds to see it. Lot’s of reviews said it might not be great for small children but ours had no problems and enjoyed it alot.
I wrote a post on the 8 Leadership Lessons from Where The Wild Things Are which you might enjoy. http://weeklyleader.net/QPyi
Thanks again for all of the great music you introduce me to on you mixcasts!
Oh boy. I hate that I am not 100% on board with the lovefest for Where the Wild Things Are. I was so extremely excited for this movie, and wanted nothing more than to fall in love with it in cinematic form the way I did with the book so many years ago.
BUT!
I was disappointed. Maybe it was my over excitement and my anticipation that over-hyped it. It probably never stood a chance.
The good, the bad, the not-so-ugly:
The character development of Max was brilliant. Not only was the character well developed, but the journey through his development was well plotted and successful. He felt real and lovable. Not one person I’ve spoken to couldn’t relate to the character in some way. There was more than one moment that reminded me of my childhood and brought me to tears. The portrayal of Max by Max Records was unbelievable. A child actor who can act, who knew!?
I do feel like the time he spent with the Wild Things was really rushed. It felt like they got wrapped up in his character and forgot about the rest of the movie. This movie turned into a character study, which I would have been glad for, but in order to do that it needs to be done with care and a balance must be struck with the other elements of the movie. I don’t think they succeeded in doing this.
The CGI was incredible, no doubt, but from the previews and film stills I was expecting so much more from the rest of the imagery. The lighting wasn’t nearly as exciting as I was lead to believe, the colors were a little more muted.
I’m nitpicking.
It was a really good film and I definitely enjoyed it, just not nearly as much as I thought I would. It was a little disappointing. I think I’ll be sticking to the book.