Where the Wild Things Are

hover · #1 10-19-2009, 07:07 PM

Has anyone on this board seen this movie? I have had discussions with people about it after having seen it and it is incredibly polarizing movie. I for one think it was masterfully done, Spike Jonze was the perfect director for it, and every choice and move made had the Author Maurice Sendak's blessing. I think this movie will go down as a classic. Some people say the movie would potentially traumatize children. I say if you actually talk with your child and not shelter reality from them and run everything through the Disney filter, they will understand the movie for what it is. My 6 year old certainly did, and we talked at length about it. That really says something about the film. A success in my opinion.

Without getting too much into spoilers or what have you, I'd love to hear your opinions on this movie. It's a good expansion of a beloved childrens book, that, while admittedly setting a darker tone, really gets to the heart of the intent of the book, and brilliantly portrays a young boy's journey from the age of innocence to understanding and acceptance.

Thoughts? I only ask if you post spoilers that you header it as such.

Sterling_Bass · #2 10-19-2009, 07:59 PM

You summed it up pretty nicely. At first, I was a little weary of an hour and a half long film based on a very short book, but the movie was good. The Wild Things were absolutely incredible, though. The combination of puppetry and CGI was probably the best I have ever seen.

DigMe · #3 10-19-2009, 08:38 PM

I want to see it. I'm a fan of Spike and of course I loved this book as a kid.

bc

Joe Gress · #4 10-19-2009, 09:05 PM

A mindless bore.

Simo98 · #5 10-19-2009, 09:11 PM

Release Date (Australia) : December 3rd

What?? rip off

Dr. Cheese · #6 10-19-2009, 09:17 PM

My wife and I got pretty bored, but my daughters and their friend really enjoyed it!

MakiSupaStar · #7 10-19-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigMe

I want to see it. I'm a fan of Spike and of course I loved this book as a kid.

bc

As do I. However, there is this weird melancholy creepiness to the movie that neither I, or my six year old boy, really bought into. My son couldn't understand why they made the story feel sad, without anything really to feel sad about. I couldn't understand why all the monsters kind of reminded me of hippie burnouts living in a weird dysfunctional kind of commune. There's no arguing that the imagination wasn't there, but I felt like the story kind of lost it's purpose when they started fleshing it out.

mattq · #8 10-20-2009, 12:10 AM

i loved this movie. the book was about having strong emotions as a child when you don't really know where they're coming from and you certainly don't know how to deal with them. that's exactly what the movie was about. there's no moral to the story, there's strong emotions and that's about it. it was a great reflection and expansion on the book to me

hover · #9 10-20-2009, 04:45 AM

Maki, I assumed the Wild Things were all sad because Max was sad. They got happy through their destructive behavior as Max did because they were merely an extension of him...the only part I feel was too dark was what happened to Douglas, but that was handled comically after, and in a way you might think Max would have "made it better"... no adult would have remedied it like that...

and that very scene is an extention of Max / Carol's "outburst" tendencies (like the sis' bedroom scene)...someone I know said this movie would promote destructive behavior, but I don't see it that way, as there was instant regret that set the tone for the film after...all those feelings coming forth....heady stuff for a little kid, but definitely identifiable to them as well. All kids have these frustrations at one point or another. My son is going through some of them as his sister is quite older as well...

Bruce Lindfield · #10 10-20-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

As do I. However, there is this weird melancholy creepiness to the movie that neither I, or my six year old boy, really bought into. My son couldn't understand why they made the story feel sad, without anything really to feel sad about. I couldn't understand why all the monsters kind of reminded me of hippie burnouts living in a weird dysfunctional kind of commune. There's no arguing that the imagination wasn't there, but I felt like the story kind of lost it's purpose when they started fleshing it out.

This sounds exactly why books are always better than movies.

So when you read a book it is your imagination and your feelings that form the background to the story!

Whereas when you watch a movie it is the director's feelings and imagination that form the background..?

hover · #11 10-20-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Whereas when you watch a movie it is the director's feelings and imagination that form the background..?

Well, ask Maurice Sendak, the Author of the book, who was a credited producer of the movie who was constantly involved closely with Spike Jonze during its creation. He greenlighted the fleshing out of the story for the screenplay.

I mean, what, they were supposed to make a movie...Max gets punished w/o dinner, dreams up an island unfolding in his bedroom he sails to for a "year" plays with monsters for a bit, gets bored, and sails home and has dinner?

Bruce Lindfield · #12 10-20-2009, 08:07 AM

Well - you are missing my point - so it doesn't matter how good or bad a movie it is - it is still the case that when you read a book, that you are using your own imagination to fill in the gaps and provide an emotional reaction...whereas in a movie this is all set out for you and will not match the experience of creating that for yourself.

hover · #13 10-20-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Well - you are missing my point - so it doesn't matter how good or bad a movie it is - it is still the case that when you read a book, that you are using your own imagination to fill in the gaps and provide an emotional reaction...whereas in a movie this is all set out for you and will not match the experience of creating that for yourself.

No, I got your point but was simply suggesting in this case that it was a "hybrid" of sorts. No, it's not unique that an author is consulted when adapting their book to film, just putting it out there.

Joe Gress · #14 10-20-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

This sounds exactly why books are always better than movies.

So when you read a book it is your imagination and your feelings that form the background to the story!

Whereas when you watch a movie it is the director's feelings and imagination that form the background..?

Could very well be. After watching the movie I must say that the idea and plot of the book weren't really suitable for a movie anyways. The movie felt long and really kinda boring. Sure maybe it wasn't supposed to be full of action and dialog, but the little dialog could have been much better. Just a real downer of a movie.

MakiSupaStar · #15 10-20-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Maki, I assumed the Wild Things were all sad because Max was sad. They got happy through their destructive behavior as Max did because they were merely an extension of him...the only part I feel was too dark was what happened to Douglas, but that was handled comically after, and in a way you might think Max would have "made it better"... no adult would have remedied it like that...

and that very scene is an extention of Max / Carol's "outburst" tendencies (like the sis' bedroom scene)...someone I know said this movie would promote destructive behavior, but I don't see it that way, as there was instant regret that set the tone for the film after...all those feelings coming forth....heady stuff for a little kid, but definitely identifiable to them as well. All kids have these frustrations at one point or another. My son is going through some of them as his sister is quite older as well...

Yeah, I got that about the monsters, but I just felt it was poorly executed.

TallLankyBastyd · #16 10-20-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

...all the monsters kind of reminded me of hippie burnouts living in a weird dysfunctional kind of commune.

Weird! I felt the same way... and I haven't even seen the flick!!

Joe Gress · #17 10-20-2009, 09:30 AM

jazzy grille · #18 10-20-2009, 09:49 AM

I have not seen it yet, however I am really looking forward to it.

People tend to be very critical of things that are not exactly the way they imagined it. As a true movie nerd I can't stress enough that "dialog" is not a sole thing a movie should judged upon (as long as it's not horrible). Just judging by the few previews I have seen I can tell that the cinematography, lighting and background are a big part of the feel this movie is trying to pass along...

Most people tend to overlook that.

MakiSupaStar · #19 10-20-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallLankyBastyd

Weird! I felt the same way... and I haven't even seen the flick!!

HaHaHa

MakiSupaStar · #20 10-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy grille

I have not seen it yet, however I am really looking forward to it.

People tend to be very critical of things that are not exactly the way they imagined it. As a true movie nerd I can't stress enough that "dialog" is not a sole thing a movie should judged upon (as long as it's not horrible). Just judging by the few previews I have seen I can tell that the cinematography, lighting and background are a big part of the feel this movie is trying to pass along...

Most people tend to overlook that.

I agree. In fact this is what played into the mood I described. The lighting, the desolation, and the introspective acoustic noodlings all kind of played into the movies vibe. Obviously this was the intent, but I feel it was all kind of misplaced.