Rarely is there a movie about kids or for kids that truly captures the essence of childhood—those crazy, confusing, yet wonderfully imaginative years that we’ve all experienced.
Typically, movies about kids and for kids come off as if they are from an adult’s perspective: a grown-up looking back on life as a child. The experience of watching a move like this can spark a little nostalgia—you’re looking back on your yesteryear.
But watching a movie like Spike Jonze’s new Where the Wild things Are, for about two hours, you become a child again. The pulse and feel of the film literally strips away your adult sensibilities, and you can once again regard life as a carefree child.
I sat on the edge of my seat throughout the film with wonder in my eyes, wanting to join in the “wild rumpus.” It’s a wonderful and inspiring feeling, to just let go like that.
The movie’s original soundtrack is second to none, the costumes and digital animation are nearly flawless, and the young boy who plays the main character, Max, shines.
Spike Jonze and screenwriter Dave Eggers adapted this film from author Maurice Sendak’s much beloved 1963 classic children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are. They’ve taken the nine or so written lines and the wonderfully detailed images and expanded on the story to fit big-screen proportions.
If you plan to take your child to see Where the Wild Things Are (it’s rated PG), I’d recommend reading them the book first—both for their own enjoyment and to familiarize more sensitive children with the subject matter.
I’d love to hear what you thought of the movie! Feel free to share your comments below!
