I. Loved. This. Movie.

This is really not a movie for everyone. The very feel of this movie reminded me of independent movies, foreign films, and unconventional stories. Those looking for a light frolick in the land of imagination will not get a light frolick, but a very edgy, almost dark side to a child's world. I say this first because not everyone will like the way this movie goes. If you are a fan of the above mentioned genres, then I believe you will enjoy this. I watch independent movies and foreign films, therefore I like the unconventional way those films are made. The director, Spike Jonze, is very much that sort of director, and he has given this movie that exact feel.

That being said, I think this movie captured the story of Max perfectly. Those who grew up with the book by the brilliant Maurice Sendak will remember that Max is a little boy who dresses in a wolf suit and 'caused mischief of one kind and another.' He is sent to his room without supper and then causes a forest to grow in his room, then an ocean where he sails to the distant land of where the Wild Things are. The Wild Things make Max their king, they have a Wild Rumpus, and then Max sends them to bed without their supper, then decides he wants to be 'where someone loved him best of all." He goes home and finds his hot supper waiting for him.

This movie follows the book. But it delves much deeper, into the mind of little Max. Max is going through a lot--his parents are divorced, his sisters friends make him cry and he often feels left out. One night he loses it with his mother and takes off, finding a boat and sailing away.

Here is where he meets the Wild Things. What I want to mention about the creatures is that as you watch the film, you will realize that each monster is somehow an extension of Max, his raw feelings and fears. As he becomes king of their land, he learns just how hard it is to control one's feelings, especially as a child. To a kid, the world is such a big, even scary place, and things they hear will be blown out of proportion. It's an excellent study of a child's mind, and how they cope with their own troubles.

The Wild Things are incredibly fun to watch. It may sound weird, being an animation major, but I was GLAD that the Wild Things were not animated (aside from their mouths and eyes). I loved the gritty, real feel of the costumes. Of course it was the excellent Jim Hensen company, who did a perfect job realizing Sendak's drawings.

Also, the little boy who plays Max (his real name is Max Records) did a fantastic job. Cute kid.

A WORD OF CAUTION! Please please do not take your little people to see this. I would say a good age is 10 and up, perhaps even 11. Yes, this film is based on a children's book, but this is not a little children's movie. It was scary. At the theatre we were in, some parents had to take their little ones out. I cannot stress this enough: Please read reviews for any movie before you go see it! Just because something looks like a children's fare doesn't mean it will be. Too many people trust the previews, which are often very very misleading as to what type of film you will be seeing. So please use wisdom.

To wrap this all up, I loved the film. Spike Jonze and David Eggars accomplished all I hoped and dreamed this film would be. I love movies that make me think. I love movies with heart. I love Where the Wild Things Are.