I recently went to see “Where the Wild Things Are”, the movie based on the children’s book that was apparently very popular for kids of my generation. That being said, I have not actually read the book.
The movie centers around Max, a young child with a wild imagination, who, after an argument with his mother, leaves his home and runs off to “where the wild things are”. While I haven’t read the book itself, it seems that “where the wild things are” is actually a metaphor for his bedroom, and the boy is gone for a matter of minutes/hours rather than the days or weeks constructed by Max’s imagination. Max declares himself king of the wild things, who harbour such great hope that he is their saviour.
Save them from what? Hopelessness and desolation it would seem. The fact that Max wasn’t able to control these issues in his own life should be a sure sign to himself that he can’t manage a society. Max loses points for lack of self-awareness. But then again, he’s only 9. Maybe he’ll grow out of it.
While the visuals in the film are spectacular, and Spike Jonze spares no expense in creating a stunning alternate reality, I feel that the film lacks depth of emotion and failed to draw me into a deep realm of personal connection with the characters. The characters, being mere allegories to the boys feelings, are far too cute and cuddly, somewhat naive, and too illogical to be related to by an adult, while the subtext is far too complex and veiled for children to comprehend.
Our Side of the Universe reviews the film, and while their review contrasts mine, I think Robbie the Reviewer has a fair point:
Before you see this movie, I suggest you keep a couple of things in mind. To enjoy this film, you need to watch it without wanting to analyze the content. To relate to this film, you need to truly remember how you understood the real world and how you imagined your own world when you were nine years old. If you can, then you will walk out of the theatre having watched a magnificent film and having experienced something truly meaningful.
I didn’t experience anything meaningful in watching this film, but seeing as everyone else did (as evidenced by IMDB’s 8.1/10 rating of the film), I will leave you with my ratings of the film and spare you the ongoing bitterness that I feel after seeing the film. Maybe I missed something, or my childhood lacked the vivid imagination that the film’s main character did not.
Michel’s rating for “Where the Wild Things Are”
Content: 4/10
Artistic Value: 8/10
Characters: 6/10
Overall rating: 5/10
