Comments on: Review: Where The Wild Things Are http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/ Eat. Drink. Design. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:35:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: frances http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-52074 frances Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:54:13 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-52074 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. 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.

]]> By: Peter http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51778 Peter Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:12:20 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51778 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! 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!

]]> By: Jeanine http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51758 Jeanine Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:14:27 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51758 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!!! 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!!!

]]> By: PetitePrince http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51700 PetitePrince Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:44:41 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51700 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 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.

]]> By: Mark Phillips http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51698 Mark Phillips Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:34:32 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51698 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! 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!

]]> By: rburch http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51667 rburch Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:19 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51667 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. 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.

]]> By: Kate http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51648 Kate Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:19:08 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51648 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 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.

]]> By: Cameron Newhouse http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51645 Cameron Newhouse Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:51:13 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51645 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. 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.

]]> By: Pat http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51644 Pat Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:40:16 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51644 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. 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.

]]> By: B+S Notes—October 19, 2009 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/comment-page-1/#comment-51641 B+S Notes—October 19, 2009 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:48:52 +0000 http://thefoxisblack.com/2009/10/19/review-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-51641 [...] looking adorable in NYC / StreetPeeper — The CFDA’s Fashion Cookbook / Racked NY — Where the Wild Things Are review / Kitsune Noir — Wild Things exceeds box office expectations / WSJ — Some grocery stores no [...] [...] looking adorable in NYC / StreetPeeper — The CFDA’s Fashion Cookbook / Racked NY — Where the Wild Things Are review / Kitsune Noir — Wild Things exceeds box office expectations / WSJ — Some grocery stores no [...]

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