New Review: Where the Wild Things Are

Taking a risk on turning a beloved childhood book into a cinematic journey can be a big failure, but “Where the Wild Things Are” mostly manages to balance Maurice Sendak’s classic tale with director Spike Jonze’s own style. Strangely, my opinion differed greatly from my 12-year-old son who connected with Max but found the whimsical childhood scenes to be boring. Whereas I connected to the idealism of childhood and the struggles of learning lessons that help us along the way. I think we found our common ground in the stubbornness of Max – a trait we both have inherited.

Max Records plays Max – the little boy who loses control and in an angry fit runs out of his mother’s house and into the world of the wild things only to become their ruler. In the book, his room transformed into the jungle, but the film instead shows Max boarding a small boat where he must rough the seas before entering this new world. For cinematic purposes, it allows the child inside of us to almost imagine that somewhere out there – such a place could exist.

Records gives an outstanding performance as Max as we never question his belief in the characters which makes it easy for us to buy into his reality.

His first friend in the wilderness is Carol – voiced by James Gandolfini – who represents a character much like Max – wanting to believe in something greater and a little bit immature still in his childlike ways in understanding how to respond to others. Carol and the other wild things are a mix of CGI and muppetry and beautifully capture the look of Sendak’s book.

Voices of the other characters include Paul Dano as Alexander, Forest Whitaker as Ira and Lauren Ambrose as KW. Although in the book the storyline was quite sparse, Jonze and Dave Eggers allow their film version to explore more dialogue which provides for some comic touches even though the most touching moment in the film is when Max must set sail back to home but tears as Carol enters the beach to say his goodbye. No words were needed for that moment as it is perfect imagery that says everything just in the faces of the two.

While the story has a few peaks that keep the audience engaged, the valleys can be a bit wide making you wish for just a bit less playful romping through woods.

I’ve decided to start letting my son give his viewpoint when we watch kid’s films together as he is more of the direct audience for this sort of film, so, here is Aidan’s take on things:

Aidan’s corner: I liked it and it was kind of strange but it was a little bit boring in some parts. When he showed him the miniature world I got excited because I like miniature things. The message I got from the movie is not to run away from home because everyone need somebody to take care of you. The music was really good.

“Where the Wild Things Are” is now playing at the Oxford Malco.