Looking for a fun movie to watch with the family? Check out our review of “Where The Wild Things Are”! We’ll tell you all about the plot, the cast, and whether or not we think it’s worth your time.
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Introduction
Where the Wild Things Are is a movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book of the same name. The movie was directed by Spike Jonze and stars Max Records as Max, the mischievous little boy who runs away from home and is transported to a land of monsters. The film also features the voices of James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener, and Chris Cooper.
While the movie stays true to the spirit of the book, it expands upon the story, delving into the emotional lives of the Wild Things and exploring the theme of isolation. The result is a visually stunning, emotionally complex film that will resonate with both children and adults.
Plot
The film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s popular children’s book of the same name, “Where the Wild Things Are” follows the story of a young boy named Max who is sent to his room without dinner after causing mischief around the house. In his room, Max imagines himself sailing to a land inhabited by large furry creatures called the Wild Things. At first, the Wild Things are apprehensive of Max, but they soon warm up to him and make him their king. Max leads the Wild Things on a series of fun adventures, but eventually becomes homesick and decides to return home. Upon his return, Max finds that his mother has left dinner for him, and he happily eats it before going to bed.
Cast
The cast is headed up by Max Records as Max, the little boy who imagines himself king of the beasts and leads them on a rampage through his house, and includes multimedia artistis like Forest Whitaker, James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Lauren Ambrose and Catherine O’Hara.
Production
The production of “Where the Wild Things Are” was troubled from the start. Director Spike Jonze (L) and author Maurice Sendak (R) struggled to find common ground. | Credits: Warner Bros./AP Photo
“Where the Wild Things Are,” the big-budget film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, was beset by problems during its production, leading to high costs, creative disagreements and on-set tension, according to people familiar with the making of the movie.
The film, which opens in theaters Friday, has been hailed by critics as a visually inventive and emotionally powerful work. But its path to the screen was far from smooth.
Music
The movie’s soundtrack is stellar, with a mix of classic songs like “You Are My Sunshine” and modern hits like “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. The use of music is perfect, and it perfectly fits the mood of the film.
Reception
The film was released on October 16, 2009, to generally positive reviews. Review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 73% “Certified Fresh” rating, based on 222 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The site’s consensus reads: “While not as visually sumptuous as Maurice Sendak’s original picture book, Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are captures the tale’s young perspective and delivers a heartwarming – albeit somewhat saccharine – message.” At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film received an average score of 74% based on 39 reviews.
Awards
In 2009, the film received several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, a BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film, and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Animated Feature.
Legacy
Where The Wild Things Are is a 2009 film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book of the same name. The film, directed by Spike Jonze, centers on a young boy named Max (played by Max Records) who imagines himself in a land inhabited by monstrous creatures.
While the film was generally well-received by critics, it was not without its fair share of controversy. Some felt that the film was too dark and scary for younger children, while others praised its inventive visuals and emotional honesty.
However you feel about the film, there’s no denying that it has left a lasting impression on viewers of all ages. It’s a visually stunning work of art that captures the imagination and speaks to the child in all of us.
See also
The 1963 book by Maurice Sendak has been adapted into a movie by director Spike Jonze. The film was released on October 16, 2009. It stars Max Records as Max, the young boy who imagines himself in an imaginary world where he is king of the wild things. The movie was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but lost to The Hurt Locker.
References
In “Where the Wild Things Are,” director Spike Jonze has made a film that is simultaneously sweet, sensitive, and exciting. Based on Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book of the same name, “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max (Max Records), a young boy who runs away from home and ends up in a land inhabited by a group of large, furry creatures called the Wild Things. Max soon becomes their king, but he finds that ruling over the Wild Things is not as easy as it seems.
While “Where the Wild Things Are” is ultimately a children’s film, it is one that will be enjoyed by adults as well. Jonze has crafted a visually stunning film that captures the imagination, and he has also assembled an excellent cast of voice actors, including James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker, and Chris Cooper.
The only problem with “Where the Wild Things Are” is its length; at just under an hour and a half, the film feels too brief. However, this is a minor complaint in an otherwise outstanding film. “Where the Wild Things Are” is a must-see for all ages.
