Where the Wild Things Are
starring Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker and Mark Ruffalo
screenplay by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers
directed by Spike Jonze
Rating: ◊◊◊◊◊
This film is based on the famous 1963 Maruice Sendak book of the same title. I have a copy of the book. I read it as a child, and occasionally re-read it as an adult. (It takes about 8-minutes to read.) I keep a copy of it because it is such a famous book, kind of a landmark in children’s literature, and for that reason if for no other it seems appropriate to keep it in one’s library, just like Winnie the Pooh, Harry the Dirty Dog, all of Dr. Seuss, Alice in Wonderland, and others. Where the Wild Things Are was and continues to be much criticized by some parents and parents’ groups who complain that it encourages misbehavior in children, or that it is gratuitously frightening. When the film was released last year it met similar criticism. I don’t see it, though. Even when I was a youngster I thought the book was boring, although the illustrations are neat - especially the way Max’s bedroom walls morph into jungle. The movie is SO BORING!!! I felt gypped because when I was at the video shop I debated re-renting Star Wars I - something enjoyable that I could re-watch multiple times and not have to return soon - or getting a new film. How I wish I had gotten the Star Wars. Oh, well, I can get it again, any time.
This film was not just boring but depressing. I needed cheering up afterwards. Don’t waste your time with it. If you are a fan of the book then re-read it, but don’t watch the movie.