Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
December 19th 2009 12:00 pm
When I first saw the trailer for Where the Wild Things Are I thought that it was going to end up being a huge disappointment for the millions of fans of the source material. Then when the first reviews started trickling in I was amazed that it was getting 5 star reviews everywhere I looked! But something in me still wasn’t convinced.
I had never read the children’s book so did not know what to expect. I knew the director Spike Jonze was not known for run-of-the-mill films so I knew I wasn’t going to get a simple kids film.
The basic story is that young boy Max has a fight with his mum and runs away. But he doesn’t just physically run away he mentally runs away across a vast ocean and into his imagination where the titular wild things are. These giant monsters accept Max as their new king and play games together, build a giant fort amongst other things.
The puppetry is amazing and with only minimal CG to make the facial expression of the monster a little more believable this is a stunning achievement and goes to show that physical special effects still hold an important part of this world. An Oscar nod is certain but whether it can hold off the mighty Avatar awaits to be seen.
So what did I think of it? Sadly I have to report that I just didn’t get it. Either I was too intelligent for it or or not intelligent enough I can’t tell. Either it went way over my head or way under it. I was bored for large chunks of the film and while I could see that the monsters could have been the various parts of Max’s psyche (his rage, his shyness, etc.) I couldn’t settle into it and found myself checking my watch after only 30 minutes.
Now I’m not saying it is a terrible film, I was just not the correct audience for it. I have heard some people say that kids will get its portrayal of the imagination of youth while others have said that it is clearly a film about kids and not a kids film.
I can’t be sure but would but would love to hear what other people thought of it. Especially if they saw it with some youngsters as well.
[5/10]
paul bearne responded on 21 Dec 2009 at 2:49 pm #
I got to see the Imax version. It scaled up to the BIG screen very well and I realy did enjoy it. I am looking forward to see more movies on this format. I would give it few more pint than 5. [7/10] from me.
Linda responded on 23 Dec 2009 at 11:48 pm #
Lauren says she thinks you’re just too grown up to really appreciate this film. Apparently you have to be bit…er…child like to really get it. And you, my little hobbit, are one of the most grown up people I know.
Lindsay responded on 24 Dec 2009 at 12:11 pm #
I really enjoyed it! …but then I know I’m just a big kid who likes to squeeze as much fun out of things as I can :)