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Where The Wild Things Are (Spike Jonze)
"There's One In All Of Us"
After getting into an argument with his mother, young Max runs away from home. He runs into a nearby wooded area, that leads us into his wild imagination. He, dressed up in a wolf costume, sets sail to an island that is inhabited by these giant talking creatures, who then take Max as their king.
The Shawshank Redemption and 2001: A Space Odyssey are both successful films that are based on short stories. Where The Wild Things Are is a new film from Spike Jonze based on a child's book that is extremely short. So short that one would think how on earth could it ever be turned into a film? One would have to go beyond the written and illustrated pages to make something like this work. It seems films based on stories and books that are relatively short succeed more than films based on books that are longer. There is more room for them to move around with.
Jonze, who started off in commercials and has since had a very successful working relationship with Charlie Kauffman, is behind the camera for this adaptation. Along with Dave Eggers, they add much more depth and emotion to the story. I knew going in that the film would have next to no plot, and that's pretty much the case, but that's not what this film needs. In other words, much like 2001: A Space Odyssey again, this is more of an experience, than a film. An experience that is not all fun and laughter.
Where The Wild Things Are is funny and heartfelt, yet also depressing and lonely. The advertisements make the film seems like a wonderful kids adventure. While the film does have bits of adventure in it, it is much darker and a bit more adult. The film explores relationships, loneliness, sadness, trust, love, etc. More than one might expect from a film based on a book that has very few words in it.
Max runs away from home after his mother doesn't give him the attention he wants. Who can blame her, she is a single mother, working hard and trying to have a relationship. He finds comfort and acceptance in this world he creates with these creatures that at first seem intimidating, but once you get up close to them are harmless. Each one has their own distinct voice and look. The voice actors all do a great job bringing just the right amount of emotion to each one. Gandolfini voices Carol, Max's counterpart in the film. They have an instant connection. Both characters have to go through their own complex obstacles and learn from each other. Chris Cooper and Paul Dano supply voices for more Wild Things, each add their own little flair to their characters and it's Dano as the Ram, who gets the most laughs.
In order for this film to work, you need to connect to these beasts. I did, and the film worked for me. I was having fun when they were and sad when they were crying. Max Records, the young boy, has to carry this film, being the only human on screen for 80% of the film. He brings that sense of innocence to the role, seeing his mistakes and growing up to try to make them right. The creatures are wonderful. I'm glad they didn't use CGI for the entire characters. The use of people in costumes, mixed with animatronics and CGI work beautifully and feel more real than anything Michael Bay can conjure up.
The soundtrack is wonderful and the film has that emotional punch that will grab you. It might drag in places, but the overall experience is a good one. Be careful if you brings your kid though, I'm not sure if the content will be too much for them. There are some frightening scenes, and one in which a limb falls off. It may also be just too weird for some kids. Max literally hides inside one of these creatures. Where The Wild Things Are is a wild, weird fantasy that I look forward to see again.
"There's One In All Of Us"
After getting into an argument with his mother, young Max runs away from home. He runs into a nearby wooded area, that leads us into his wild imagination. He, dressed up in a wolf costume, sets sail to an island that is inhabited by these giant talking creatures, who then take Max as their king.
The Shawshank Redemption and 2001: A Space Odyssey are both successful films that are based on short stories. Where The Wild Things Are is a new film from Spike Jonze based on a child's book that is extremely short. So short that one would think how on earth could it ever be turned into a film? One would have to go beyond the written and illustrated pages to make something like this work. It seems films based on stories and books that are relatively short succeed more than films based on books that are longer. There is more room for them to move around with.
Jonze, who started off in commercials and has since had a very successful working relationship with Charlie Kauffman, is behind the camera for this adaptation. Along with Dave Eggers, they add much more depth and emotion to the story. I knew going in that the film would have next to no plot, and that's pretty much the case, but that's not what this film needs. In other words, much like 2001: A Space Odyssey again, this is more of an experience, than a film. An experience that is not all fun and laughter.
Where The Wild Things Are is funny and heartfelt, yet also depressing and lonely. The advertisements make the film seems like a wonderful kids adventure. While the film does have bits of adventure in it, it is much darker and a bit more adult. The film explores relationships, loneliness, sadness, trust, love, etc. More than one might expect from a film based on a book that has very few words in it.
Max runs away from home after his mother doesn't give him the attention he wants. Who can blame her, she is a single mother, working hard and trying to have a relationship. He finds comfort and acceptance in this world he creates with these creatures that at first seem intimidating, but once you get up close to them are harmless. Each one has their own distinct voice and look. The voice actors all do a great job bringing just the right amount of emotion to each one. Gandolfini voices Carol, Max's counterpart in the film. They have an instant connection. Both characters have to go through their own complex obstacles and learn from each other. Chris Cooper and Paul Dano supply voices for more Wild Things, each add their own little flair to their characters and it's Dano as the Ram, who gets the most laughs.
In order for this film to work, you need to connect to these beasts. I did, and the film worked for me. I was having fun when they were and sad when they were crying. Max Records, the young boy, has to carry this film, being the only human on screen for 80% of the film. He brings that sense of innocence to the role, seeing his mistakes and growing up to try to make them right. The creatures are wonderful. I'm glad they didn't use CGI for the entire characters. The use of people in costumes, mixed with animatronics and CGI work beautifully and feel more real than anything Michael Bay can conjure up.
The soundtrack is wonderful and the film has that emotional punch that will grab you. It might drag in places, but the overall experience is a good one. Be careful if you brings your kid though, I'm not sure if the content will be too much for them. There are some frightening scenes, and one in which a limb falls off. It may also be just too weird for some kids. Max literally hides inside one of these creatures. Where The Wild Things Are is a wild, weird fantasy that I look forward to see again.