Movie Review: Where The Wild Things Are

Max is a hyperactive, disobedient little boy who acts wild and ignores his mother’s pleas to behave. Max has a vivid imagination which leads him into trouble on a regular basis. In the movie version when Max disobeys his mother he runs away from home to find a new land filled with ferocious wild creatures that make Max their king.

Where The Wild Things Are is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s story. The original story is much shorter, and the screenplay has been expanded to show new adventures of the young boy. The screenplay is far darker than the original story, delving into family dynamics, belonging to a group, and some very somber, serious moments.

The puppetry is one of the most interesting facets of this movie, a good combination of real puppets and CGI helps make this movie endearing to watch even with the darker moments of the film. I wish there was more of a lightness to Where The Wild Things Are so this film would be available to younger viewers. The puppetry is impressive, the voice talent is excellent, the location shootings are stunning, and the direction is well done. The young star Max Records does a good job recreating the book’s main character.

This is really more of a movie for pre-teens, teens, and adults than young children, who may be frightened by the dark edge of this film. With that said, if you loved the original story and enjoy great puppetry you will enjoy Where The Wild Things Are.

2009. Directed by Spike Jonze. Starring Max Records, Catherine Keener, and the voice talents of James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Dano, Forest Whitaker, and Michael Berry Jr.

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