"Where the Wild Things Are" - my thoughts
by SouthernFriedInfidel | Published on October 17th, 2009, 4:20 pm | Arts
Just got back from watching this movie today. I'm blown away, to be honest. I mean, you take a kid's picture book and try to turn it into a movie... it ain't easy. Look at the films created from Dr. Seuss stuff. It really doesn't work. "Wild Things..." it not only works, it soars.The bulk of the movie is bracketed by short stints in the real world, where the characters of Max and his mother are established. The rest of the movie, a fantasy that reflects an awful lot of what I recall from my childhood, is a work of genius. Kudos to Spike Jonze for putting this film together with nearly perfect touches, from the writing and directing to the casting and visuals.
A note about the "Wild Things..." A review I read said that no matter what was done with modern cinematic tricks, you couldn't escape the idea that these huge monsters are really just actors in monster suits. I beg to differ. Sure there are a few points where the illusion becomes a bit strained, but generally, the monsters looked very believable. And the animatronics used to provide the facial expressions operated flawlessly for the camera. Crying, laughing, pouting, angry... they all looked NATURAL for these creatures.
And a word about Max Records, the child who plays the role of Max. I expect it will be inevitable that he will be compared to the mega-child-star, Macaulay Culkin. No doubt, it is a tribute to Jonzes' talent as a director that this kid hit every note dead on in his starring role. But it is a treat to watch this kid who appears to NEVER mug for the cameras. When he cries because his snow fort is destroyed by his big sister's friends, he's totally believable. When he reacts with horrified realization that the monster Carol is acting just the way he was when he left his home, he makes us believe that he is growing up, just the tiniest bit.
And if you need one last indicator that this movie is a special treat for all to see... we were in a theater packed with little kids. I mean TODDLERS, fer cryin' out loud. And nearly all through the film, there was silence. I heard not one kid act up or start crying out of boredom. You know you have a serious winner on your hands when that happens.
Bottom line: go out and see this film. I think you'll love it.
