A Reel Release: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Director Spike Jonze's adaptation of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is released today on DVD and Blu-ray. Released in theatres in October of 2009, the film was met with mixed reviews and took it on the chin from fans of the original childrens' book. It earned $77 million at the U.S. Box Office, and was nominated for several awards from the Golden Globes, Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the Art Directors' Guild.

Below is my review posted on Facebook in October of 2009:

Director Spike Jonze returns to the big screen with a charming, engaging, and emotional re-telling of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

WILD THINGS follows the adventures of young Max (Max Records), an imaginative, lonely, and misbehaving boy. His sister is outgrowing him, and his mom is busy with work and a new boyfriend. After a major temper-tantrum, Max runs away from home, and sails away to the land of the wild things, centered upon a group of fantastic creatures who crown him their king.

Max’s story is told through his eyes, and is done masterfully well. There are touches here that will take the viewer right back to childhood, as Max hides, plays, interacts with his mom, and builds things with vivid imagination. With low and unique angles, coupled by well-used shaky-cam, Max’s world is shown from his perspective, and there are elements that will touch the inner-child in everyone.

As good as his home life is presented; it’s his journey to the wild things’ land where things really come to life. In each of the creatures, a portion of Max’s life is represented; from his childhood, to his mother, to the part of him that never gets the attention he seeks. His behavior is reflected back at him, and it makes for great character development. There is a LOT of allegory here, and nothing should be taken literally. Some of the allegory is obvious, and some of it requires some thought and hindsight. Messages concerning the way children play, think, and act are abundant here, and it’s a fulfilling experience. Elements we see from his home life in the early goings are expanded upon in this new world, and it’s fascinating to see.

The creatures are brought to life using animatronics, suitronics, and some CGI . The CGI work is used for the wild things’ faces mostly, and it is beautifully realized. The wild things carry their emotions on their faces, and it is remarkably easy to connect with each one.

The technical work here is superb. Jonze’s camera work is awesome with his unique angles and perfect framing. The score is perfect for its environment and very moving.

Acting-wise, things are perfect. Young Max Records is a great find, as he displays fear, wonder, and anger in a convincing performance. The voice talents of James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker, and Chris Cooper are perfectly cast, and the voices blend in well with their characters. Catherine Keener is perfect as Max’s mom, as she displays all the love and emotion needed and them some.

Despite being a film about childhood, WILD THINGS doesn’t really lend itself as a kids’ film. There is no villain, no vivid colors, and no colorful characters to catch attentions. Kids will easily become restless in viewing this, as there is a lot of dialogue and few action sequences. Where kids may struggle with it, adults will be taken back to places they had not visited in a long, long time. WILD THINGS is thought-provoking and powerful, and Spike Jonze’s first masterpiece.

BOTTOME LINE: See it.