OK for kids 9+
Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that director Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are isn't appropriate for younger kids, even those who adore the book (there's a big difference between looking at a beautifully illustrated children's story and watching a live-action movie full of sights and sounds that will probably scare the average 4-year-old). The movie explores mature themes of loneliness, insecurity, and fear of change, both within Max's human family and the one he finds on his adventure. The island that Max lands on can be a scary and dark place, and the Wild Things themselves aren't above threatening (repeatedly) to eat Max, as well as becoming hot-headed and destructive (and when a Wild Thing gets destructive, it can be quite intense). The movie also has a slower, dreamier feel than many other kids' movies, and relationships and storylines aren't always neatly resolved. There's some mild language ("damn," "stupid") and a quick glimpse of Max's mom and her boyfriend drinking wine and kissing, but otherwise the PG rating is due mostly to Max's occasionally frightful time with the mysterious Wild Things.
- Families can talk about what makes Max scared and angry. Why does he get mad at his sister and his mom? What does he want from them? What does he learn about families from his time among the Wild Things?
- Each of the Wild Things has a personality, opinions, and concerns. Are the Wild Things symbolic of different character traits? Kids: Which Wild Thing was the most relatable?
- How does the movie compare to the book? How did the filmmakers change the story? Does an adaptation have to to translate exactly what's in a book to be faithful? How do you think the movie might be different if it were meant for younger kids?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's messages are more complex than in many other films about/targeted at children. The positive messages include Max helping the Wild Things (for a while anyway) solve some of their problems, come together as a tribe, act more inclusively toward KW's owl friends, and have more fun with each other. There's also an uplifting take-away about the importance of going home and the powerful bond between mother and child. But along the way, characters can be cruel to each other and hurt one another's feelings, both by accident and intentionally. And the movie doesn't shy away from difficult themes like loneliness, fear, and insecurity.
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Role models: KW is a strong role model of inclusiveness and selflessness. She's friends with two owls, despite being shunned for it by Carol (he's clearly jealous of them and is upset at the idea of her choosing to be with them over him/the other Wild Things). But she still loves Carol and her other Wild Thing friends and stands by them. Some of the other Wild Things are more mercurial and complex, including Carol -- whose moods can change in the blink of an eye -- and Judith, who is often sarcastic and negative (but loves her family nonetheless). Max's mom is very loving, even while she's trying to discipline him. Max himself is a very realistic tween boy -- he can be both joyful and sullen, angry and contemplative. He's extremely imaginative and wants more than anything to feel loved and included in a family.
What to watch for
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Violence: The Wild Things, especially Carol, can act out of control, smashing things, burning things, and threatening to eat Max before he's crowned their king. The whole group also participates in a somewhat intense dirt-clod "war," in which some characters are injured, as well as in a very rambunctious "wild rumpus," in which trees are knocked down, characters, fall, etc. Max himself acts out of control in some early scenes, angrily trashing his sister's room and yelling at his mom. During Max's boat trip to the island, a thunderstorm makes him fall in the water, and he struggles in the waves for several seconds. The movie's overall mood is dark, from the washed-out lighting to the at-times haunting score.
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Sex: Max's mother has a man over for dinner who seems to be her boyfriend. They drink wine and kiss briefly. Ira and Judith act like a couple -- alternately bickering and acting protective of each other.
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Language: Occasional use of mild swear words/expletives like "damn," "hell," and "stupid." "God" used as an exclamation.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: In one brief scene, Max's mother and her boyfriend are shown drinking wine before dinner.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Let the Wild Rumpus Start!! by Daydream
..."Inside all of us is a Wild Thing"...
Where the Wild Things Are, written by Maurice Sendak, was a story I listened to when I was little every night before bed. I still remember begging my parents to just read it one more time. Inspired by the classic children's book, Where the Wild Things Are "hits home" as one from the audience revealed. We get a fantastic image of the imagination and lonliness of 9-year old Max who runs away, sails to an island of beasts, and claims to be a king with great powers to keep them from eating him. Each of the Wild Things has their own personality and most of them share the same emotions just like everyone around us. The costumes are dirty, amazing, and true to the book. Thoughtfully written by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers (Away We Go), this movie is special and worth seeing. If the book means anything to you, this movie will to. Perfect ending. (A)
"Sometimes being happy isnt the best way to be happy"
Sleeping in the perfect pile tonight...
5
Recreated Masterpiece by NT_Jonze_Fan
Yeah this isn't going to be cherished by those too young to remember reading the book. You have to have that already and the sense of wonder at a child's imagination. There is a misunderstood passion for the unreal here and it will strike a chord with those who understand having gone through childhood already.
Where the Wild Things Are was my absolute favorite book growing up and this just beings it all back as well as giving life to the characters in the story uniquely and impeccably. I could feel the story happening beyond what the book ever provided! And if nothing else, Carol's somber howl on the beach tore right through my heart and I left the theater wiping my eyes...! Going to buy the movie and reread the book... to experience it all over again!
5
Where my inner child went..... by moveslowly4574
The happy and sad emotions that i felt as a child and pushed away, because of my sad upbringing......I cried and laughed as i felt the feeling that the young Max was feeling. I don't think anyone that wasn't a loner or the middle child will truly understand and have the amazing experience I had at 11:30 this morning! If your a child of a single parent or divorced family you will be touched by this film Spike Jonze did a phenomenal job bringing to life Maurice Sendak's children's book. Go see this but bring a tissue!
1
Five Word Review by lukedayton
violent disturbing don't take kids
5
IT'S ABOUT THE BOOK, EVERYTHING IS NOT WARM AND FUZZY IN LIFE by umpfgirl
I first need to say that this movie moved my husband and I to tears. It's about not being heard as a child. Not being recognized or appreciated for your individual personality. Can anyone relate? It was a beautiful story. Just like I remembered as a kid. Being able to escape the dysfunction with your imagination. Who has had the perfect parents? Who ever dreamt of escaping to a far away island with creatures you could control? I did. Often......
Each character represents all of Max's emotions. Don't you get it?
"You're supposed to hug me when I'm mad."
Parents.....grow up.
The world needs you too.....
1
Wild Thing meets Lord of the Flies by Robberoo
This was not the movie I was expecting. I loved the book as a child but some how in all the over the top senseless violence the sweetness of the original story got clobbered too! I never connected with spoiled brat Max, Why Carol was trashing the houses was never explained. Why all the undirected anger?
The 'dream sequence" was lost. If a child bit me and ran off into the night I'd call the cops to find him. Yet when Max returns for being with the wild things, there is nothing but a hug and hot soup waiting. It looked like a Campbell's soup commercial without the can! I couldn't suspend my disbelief that much.
On a scale of 10 I'd give it a 2.
1
Where the Wild Things Are by 4neerdowells
This is NOT a kid's movie!
Let me say that first. Do NOT take your kid to see this movie if you want to preserve their sentimental feelings about the book. It is dark and gloomy. A psychological movie, far too deep for a child's mind to analyze without lots of help from a wise adult. My kids, 9 and 7, said "they tried to ruin the book."
Max is miserable, his family is miserable, the wild things are miserable. And the slight advances any of them make to be happier failed to make US any happier about spending $34 to see this treachery. SPOILER ALERT******one of the wild things actually rips off another wild thing's arm. My kids were shocked. My daughter, who is no wimp, says it still gives her butterflies to think about it.
If you want to feel crummy, this is the movie for you. blahhhhhhhhh!
3
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by yolo007
This review by my 9 year old son: The movie should be rated PG13, because it was scary and sad. It was cool when they had the war and when they built the fort. If you want to see this movie, go watch it. It's pretty good. However, it was very sad in some parts.
1
Worst Movie I've seen in years by dcrdg16
To say I am dissapointed is an understatement. Bizarre, depressing and no continuity are hallmarks of this movie remake of a popular children's book. I took my 8 year old to see it and after an hour into the movie, she asked if we could go. I noticed before we decided to go another family left. I never write reviews but, in this case, I thought it might be worth taking the time to save unknowing families from suffering the same fate.
2
Able to Put a 9 Year Old to Sleep by Robby1123
It's true, my 9 year old son fell asleep near the end of the movie. What a complete and utter let down this movie was for my family of four. Having grown up with vivid ideas of this classic children's book, I was sure that the movie would be as classic as the book. It was - a classic disappointment. There is no clear story line. And it feels as if the plot tries to make the story more complex than necessary. The loveable monsters from the book are transformed into some very emotionally disturbed freaks whose behavior is more goulish than their looks. I only hope there is some kind of wild psychologist on their island who can help them deal with the range of issues that surface. Yes, the monsters are supposed to represent all the feelings and confusion Max is going through. As messed up as Jonze (the director) made them, this boy will need many years of very intense therapy that dinner and chocolate cake at the ending just will not resolve.