Where The Wild Things Are Review
Saturday, February 6, 2010
, Posted by Should I See It at 1:45 AM
Film: Where the Wild Things Are
Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Chris Cooper, Paul Dano.Plot: Eight year old Max, in trouble from his mother, retreats to an island in his imagination where he is made king of the Wild Things.
I don't understand all the negative press about Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are.
To me, it is a beautifully crafted film that demonstrates a high level of creativity and imagination. Director Spike Jonze has taken a picture book and turned it into a very pronounced cinematic reflection of childhood. Maurice Sendak's book is expanded into a learning experience for young Max about the responsibilities of adulthood, leading him to appreciate his childhood.
Even not having 'read' the book in nearly twenty years, I can still remember the illustrations and how they simultaneously excited and scared my five-year-old self. Just as the illustrations are important to the book, the visual style of the film is its greatest strength. The film almost perfectly recreates some of the books key images. I have to admit I got a bit of thrill when Max is made king of the Wild Things and they place the crown on his head, Similarly, Max's boat trip to the island of the Wild Things felt as thought the pages of the book had literally jumped onto the screen. The design of the 'Wild Things'- created through a mix of actors in suits and CGI- are also stunning.
The strength of the visuals continues beyond the realisation of the books key images. The scene where Carol shows Max a miniature version of the Wild Things’ dream city is particularly beautiful. There is a magical aura about the sequence, which makes the destruction of the miniature all the more poignant.
Filming on location in Victoria (Yay for Australia!!!!) works to the films advantage. The dusty greys and browns of the landscape has a real other worldly feel to it. The rapid changes in geography (bush to desert to ocean) could only happen in a fantastical world such as this, yet the unfamiliarity of the Victorian landscape lends itself to believability.
Filming on location in Victoria (Yay for Australia!!!!) works to the films advantage. The dusty greys and browns of the landscape has a real other worldly feel to it. The rapid changes in geography (bush to desert to ocean) could only happen in a fantastical world such as this, yet the unfamiliarity of the Victorian landscape lends itself to believability.
What I love most about the film is its ability to place the audience in Max's shoes. We feel his fear, his wonder, his guilt. Spike Jonze creates the cinematic equivalent of first person narration without resorting to the dreaded voiceover.
It is always dangerous having such a young protagonist, but Max Records as Max is excellent. It is hard to believe that Where the Wild Things Are is his feature film debut. He comes to the role with a simultaneous innocence and intelligence but without any of the affectation that you usually see in (particularly American) child actors.
It is always dangerous having such a young protagonist, but Max Records as Max is excellent. It is hard to believe that Where the Wild Things Are is his feature film debut. He comes to the role with a simultaneous innocence and intelligence but without any of the affectation that you usually see in (particularly American) child actors.
I have to give props to screenwriters Dave Eggers and Spike Jonze who have transformed the ‘Wild Things’ into fully developed, complicated and emotional characters. It is actually scary when Carol turns against Max. You feel the complexity of the relationship between KW and Carol without needing it to be explained. Catherine O’Hara’s character, Judith, is a particular standout, who, while comic, has an inclination for destruction that is a threat to Max and his world.
While there are a few things puzzling me, like where did Max actually go? And why is Mark Ruffalo billed so high when he is only in the film for a minute (and that is not an exaggeration, it was actually only a minute)? And how many minutes should have been trimmed off the run time so the final third of the film wouldn’t drag? But essentially Spike Jonze creates a beautifully crafted intelligent and introspective film, while about child hood, is probably not for children.
While there are a few things puzzling me, like where did Max actually go? And why is Mark Ruffalo billed so high when he is only in the film for a minute (and that is not an exaggeration, it was actually only a minute)? And how many minutes should have been trimmed off the run time so the final third of the film wouldn’t drag? But essentially Spike Jonze creates a beautifully crafted intelligent and introspective film, while about child hood, is probably not for children.
Should I See It?
Definitely yes! A Visual Delight!
Where the Wild Things Are Official SIte here.
