WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Starring:
Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker and Chris Cooper

Director:
Spike Jonze

Running Time:
101 mins

Out to buy on Blu-Ray/DVD 10/05/10

"I don't talk to owls. Owls are stupid"

With his sister spending more time with her friends and his mother (Keener) working or seeing her new boyfriend (Ruffalo), Max (Records) thought he was getting forgotten about. After an awful day and when his mother completely ignores him, they argue and Max decides to run away, climbing into a boat and heading out to sea. Braving storms and huge waves, Max heads for a mysterious island populated by Wild Things who are looking for a King.

When it comes to adapting a much loved children’s classic, former music video director Spike Jonze’s visual flair and surreal imagination might just be the right blend for ‘Where the Wild Things Are’.

After making his name making award winning music videos for R.E.M., The Beastie Boys, Bjork, Weezer, The Chemical Brothers and Tenacious D, Spike Jonze went on to make a cinematic splash with ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Adaptation’. With both films applauded for their originality and borderline surrealism, Jonze instantly became as lauded on the big screen as he was as a music video director. When it was announced that he was going to adapt a much moved children’s novel, fans and critics alike waited with great anticipation and the great news is that it was worth the wait.

The beloved children’s book ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ is one that had movie adaptation written all over it. The picture book, written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak has all the hallmarks of a great children’s adventure movie. At the centre of the story is Max, a lonely child who is been ignored by his older sister and is struggling to gain the attention of his mother as she either works or spends time with her new boyfriend. When it all gets too much for him and the argument become too much for him to take, Max decides to run away by getting into a boat and heading out to see. A storm takes him and washes the boat up on a mysterious island but when he explores he discovers that it is the home of huge, talking monsters know as The Wild Things. Leaderless and not knowing what to do, Carol see Max as the one who can tell them what to do by making him their new King. It is a story filled with adventure and fun but also has a message that will touch the heart of everyone, whatever age you are.

Spike Jonze and his creative team have loving realised the Wild Things as a combination of animatronic suits and CGI imagery. With suit performers providing all of the movement, it is up to the voice actor’s responsibility to breath that last piece of life into the creatures. James Gandolfini as Carol, Paul Dano as Alexander, Forest Whitaker as Ira, Lauren Ambrose as KW, Chris Cooper as Douglas, Catherine O’Hara as Judith and Spike Jonze himself as Bob/Terry, the vocal actors performances make the Wild Things what they are, over ground children who are struggling to live with leadership. These creatures are stunningly designed and are destined to become a new standard creature design. The Wild Things would be nothing without with their Max to lead them and young actor Max Records plays the new King with great gusto. There is an innocence to his performance that makes you feel that you are sharing in his adventure and not just watching him go through the motions.

‘Where The Wild Things Are’ is a magically movie. Filled with adventure and wonder, this is what children dream of and what adult dream they could do again. Lovingly put together and beautifully made by Spike Jonze and his creative team, this is not just a children’s movie but a film that should resonate with everyone who watches it.

Zathura


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2009