Where the Wild Things Are Review [2]

Posted by Shawn S. Lealos on 10.20.2009

It's not the next great kid's flick, but it is a masterpiece.

Directed by Spike Jonze
Written by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers

Cast
Max Records ... Max
Pepita Emmerichs ... Claire
Catherine Keener ... Mom
Steve Mouzakis ... Teacher
Mark Ruffalo ... The Boyfriend
James Gandolfini ... Carol (voice)
Paul Dano ... Alexander (voice)
Catherine O'Hara ... Judith (voice)
Forest Whitaker ... Ira (voice)
Michael Berry Jr. ... The Bull (voice)
Chris Cooper ... Douglas (voice)
Lauren Ambrose ... KW (voice)



Where the Wild Things Are is not what you might expect.

First and foremost, it is not a children’s movie. This movie, in no way, talks to kids. It is instead made for adults who remember what it was like to, at one time, be a child. Do you remember how hard it was to be a kid, to be considered trouble and never understand what your parent’s expected from you? More than likely, you are an adult who doesn’t actually remember these feelings. Where the Wild Things Are will help you remember what it was like to be at one of the most difficult ages to understand.

Max is a young boy whose mother is having a lot of problems at work. His sister is growing up and hanging out with the older boys instead of her kid brother. He also seems to have no friends and his father is missing in action. None of his life is explained beyond this because the genius of the movie is it plays from Max’s point of view. Most movies about kids see them in an omnipresent sort of way, either watching them as they go about their business or, worse yet, looking at them from the adult’s point of view. These movies show kids experiencing exciting situations but none let you know what it is like to be the child. Spike Jonze allows us to see his movie through those eyes and it is a wondrous thing.

Another problem you might have going into this movie is expecting the film to be like all other magical children’s films and tell you the story, morals spelled out and lessons clearly learned. Where the Wild Things Are expects you to use your brain, understand the lessons as Max understands them and then at the end, figure out what it is you are supposed to have learned. Spike Jonze is not making this movie for brain dead Americans to have their lessons spelled out to them in a giant moralistic tale. He has always worked as an intelligent storyteller. His previous films, Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, confused the hell out of mainstream audiences because they “didn’t get it.” This movie will do the exact same thing. I have already heard people question the end and complain the movie has no point. These people are incapable, or unwilling, to read the film for what it is.

We don’t know where Max’s father is because he is at the age where he might still harbor confusion of where he went. We don’t know what his mother’s occupational problems are but know that Max is able to help make his mother smile when she is down. Max wants to play with his sister’s older friends but when they get a little too rough, he is left hurt and crying and throws a tantrum. We understand he is unable to fit in anywhere in his world. When he acts up and gets in trouble, he runs away from home and finds a raft which he uses to travel to the land of the Wild Things.

It is here Max finds a Wild Thing named Carol who he identifies with. A giant loveable beast who destroys things when he feels overwhelmed or unloved. Max sees a kindred spirit and in Max he sees himself. But then Max, and we join him for this journey, watches as everything he does seems to make things worse. We see everything he went through at home play out in this land of giant creatures. He sees his actions have a definite effect on those around him and finally realizes that, despite his preoccupation with his own small life, there is much more to the world than his problems. Once he understands that, he can move on and start to help others and find there are people willing to help him as well.

This is a lot to take in for a movie that advertises giant beasts playing in a strange land with a child who proclaims to be their king. That is why Spike Jonze has created a masterpiece. It is a movie that will be misunderstood by millions of people but is also a movie that will bring millions more to tears. There is a lot in this movie to take in, and it may take numerous viewings to capture all Jonze has created for us to see. This is the story of a young boy who has reached the age where it is time to take the next step and grow into a young man. He has to hurdle a few obstacles along the way, and he will lose a lot in doing so, but at the end of the movie he is a different person, a child with the understanding of what his actions is doing to those he loves. When he tells the Wild Things he wishes they “had a mother”, you know he finally understands what he has and what he turned his back on.

Max Records is a marvel as young Max. I have not seen a strong performance from a child actor like this in a long, long time. He has the talent of a Dakota Fanning or Freddie Highmore and takes his character into areas so dark and so varied and never once faltered. The emotion he shows in his face is amazing for someone his age (Max is 12). The Wild Things are all voiced by great actors who bring their characters into life in ways I never expected. James Gandolfini is fantastic conveying the confusion of Carol. Paul Dano, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker, Michael Berry Jr, Chris Cooper and Lauren Abbrose round out the Wild Things and I can’t think of anything that could have been done better than what these voice talents achieved.

Spike Jonze creates one of the most aesthetically beautiful pictures I have ever seen. This is a movie I am already excited to re-watch on Blu-Ray. Once Max gets to the Wild Things island, the scenery and cinematography are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. If this movie doesn’t receive any other awards, the cinematography is the one it deserves most. From desert landscapes to forests surrounded by trees to underground layers, Spike Jonze creates a world breathtaking every step of the way. He has created his masterpiece.

The 411: Where the Wild Things Are is not an easy film to sit through. It is the most Indie looking kid’s flick you might ever see. The camera work is handheld, the script forces the viewer to read between the lines and the story is not meant for children but instead for the child within. But if you are a more discerning viewer, this movie has much to offer. The look of the movie is gorgeous and Spike Jonze has created a picture that is a beauty to behold. The story is complicated, deep and very effecting for those who actually understand what Jonze is saying. It is a movie about growing up, facing your fears and doubts, and coming out on the other side, no longer a Wild Thing. The acting is superb and the movie will reward repeated viewings. This movie is not for everyone but, for those it does connect with, it is one of the best films you might ever see.

Final Score:  9.5   [  Amazing ]