I won't lie; "Where the Wild Things Are" isn't the type of film that can be shown to all children. Certainly there will be an assortment of children who will love the film and enjoy it immensely, despite its lack of action and confectionary visuals, but the majority may not be amused. Yet, this doesn't speak for the quality of the film. As I have said numerous times and will continue to say, "Where the Wild Things Are" isn't a film for children anymore than it’s a film about childhood. By saying that, I'm willing to say that most adults or teens who have fallen in love with the book will get swept up in not only the nostalgia the film presents, but can also relate to the many ups and downs of childhood Jonze and company present on screen. After all, the adults and teens that see the film have successfully experienced the tumultuous time known as childhood. It’s a time where we all slowly become versed in the ways of the world, as well as understand how we personally work on an emotional level.
Aside from the "experience" factor, the film itself may also go over the head of younger viewers. It is rather abstract (although not nearly as subtle as I expected). The film opens up with Max running through a variety of emotions, which ultimately establishes his encounters with the 'Wild Things.' In one scene he is viciously chasing his dog with a fork, in another; to gain the attention of his teenage sister (who is drifting away) he starts a snowball fight with her friends that ends with him being buried in a pile of snow, which brings on a set of emotions that range from resentment to loneliness. And finally, in a set of separate scenes, Max's connection with his mother is tested as her attention for Max is redirected to her job and her boyfriend. All of this makes Max lash out and from this, Max escapes reality (more specifically runs away from home) to a place that he thinks he understands and will bring him happiness.
Through his imagination Max comes across the 'Wild Things', a motley crew of beasts with a hodge podge set of physical attributes. Yet what’s most pertinent to realize is that each one of the 'Wild Things' is a fragment of Max's psyche. And through his interactions with the "Wild Things," Max is able to not only understand the impact of his actions and emotional outbursts, but also the potential causes of said outbursts. Most importantly though, as Max interacts with each 'Wild Thing' and becomes more and more connected to them, his love and admiration for them sustains, despite how badly they may have treated one another in the past. This relationship with the 'Wild Things' creates a big payoff in the end, where in a poignant scene with his mother, Max learns that no matter what he does, or how sad he feels, he will always have an infinite amount of unconditional love to fall back on.
Now, the narrative side of the film is rather thin, which consists of dirt fights and fort building, but when considering the layers writers Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers put into the development of Max and the 'Wild Things', the film adequately captures the turmoil, the love, and the imagination that can develop within a child. In addition to the writing, Spike Jonze's direction (and complete vision) is beautiful and unrestrained, creating a very organic feel. From the gorgeous locations to the 'Wild Things' themselves, everything feels like it’s within reaching distance of reality. Much of this can be chalked up to the cinematography and the creation of suits, but a lot of credit should be given to Jonze who understands that when children imagine themselves in different locations or with different beings, it can feel and be just as real or organic as reality itself.
So, in the very least, many will find the film to be a welcoming piece aesthetically. Yet, the visuals and the overall feeling the film generates are enhanced with a terrific score that underscores the many emotions Max feels throughout the film (here is an ample sample http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9YrUqqSmaY). Arranged by Karen O and assisted by Carter Burwell, the film boasts a score that ventures from other fantasy films. Sure it may sound "indie", but its lack of traditional orchestra instruments and 'on key' children's choir give the film a raw, youthful, and unhinged sound that reverberates past the closing the credits.
Aside from the "experience" factor, the film itself may also go over the head of younger viewers. It is rather abstract (although not nearly as subtle as I expected). The film opens up with Max running through a variety of emotions, which ultimately establishes his encounters with the 'Wild Things.' In one scene he is viciously chasing his dog with a fork, in another; to gain the attention of his teenage sister (who is drifting away) he starts a snowball fight with her friends that ends with him being buried in a pile of snow, which brings on a set of emotions that range from resentment to loneliness. And finally, in a set of separate scenes, Max's connection with his mother is tested as her attention for Max is redirected to her job and her boyfriend. All of this makes Max lash out and from this, Max escapes reality (more specifically runs away from home) to a place that he thinks he understands and will bring him happiness.
Through his imagination Max comes across the 'Wild Things', a motley crew of beasts with a hodge podge set of physical attributes. Yet what’s most pertinent to realize is that each one of the 'Wild Things' is a fragment of Max's psyche. And through his interactions with the "Wild Things," Max is able to not only understand the impact of his actions and emotional outbursts, but also the potential causes of said outbursts. Most importantly though, as Max interacts with each 'Wild Thing' and becomes more and more connected to them, his love and admiration for them sustains, despite how badly they may have treated one another in the past. This relationship with the 'Wild Things' creates a big payoff in the end, where in a poignant scene with his mother, Max learns that no matter what he does, or how sad he feels, he will always have an infinite amount of unconditional love to fall back on.
Now, the narrative side of the film is rather thin, which consists of dirt fights and fort building, but when considering the layers writers Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers put into the development of Max and the 'Wild Things', the film adequately captures the turmoil, the love, and the imagination that can develop within a child. In addition to the writing, Spike Jonze's direction (and complete vision) is beautiful and unrestrained, creating a very organic feel. From the gorgeous locations to the 'Wild Things' themselves, everything feels like it’s within reaching distance of reality. Much of this can be chalked up to the cinematography and the creation of suits, but a lot of credit should be given to Jonze who understands that when children imagine themselves in different locations or with different beings, it can feel and be just as real or organic as reality itself.
So, in the very least, many will find the film to be a welcoming piece aesthetically. Yet, the visuals and the overall feeling the film generates are enhanced with a terrific score that underscores the many emotions Max feels throughout the film (here is an ample sample http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9YrUqqSmaY). Arranged by Karen O and assisted by Carter Burwell, the film boasts a score that ventures from other fantasy films. Sure it may sound "indie", but its lack of traditional orchestra instruments and 'on key' children's choir give the film a raw, youthful, and unhinged sound that reverberates past the closing the credits.
All in all, "Where the Wild Things Are" is a triumphant piece of work that will ultimately please the adults more than it will the kids. Yet, I can't help, but think that down the road, as the children grow into adults, they'll appreciate Spike Jonze's ode to childhood a whole lot more.
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