Where the Wild Things Are Review

Another Review from my good pal keef. 

This is a film which tells the story of Max, a sensitive boy (Little shit) who no one listens to, as a result he makes up friends/worlds up in his head. Max decides to run away after having an argument with his mum (resulting in the little twat biting her!!) he finds a boat and decides to use it, he ends up getting lost and finding himself on an island where he meets ‘Sesame Street’ style characters who look like they have been booted off the street and now inject crack for a living and claim jobseekers allowance. The Wild Thing’s creatures seem to want a leader to guide them… just as Max longs for people’s attention. Max is crowned king of the land, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds that ruling his kingdom is not what it’s cracked up to be.

I would say to people who are thinking about taking their children – only take them if they aren’t easily scared, otherwise I would say DON’T! Even though the trailer looks all nice and friendly… this is a dark film! I watched it and found myself taken back by the opening sequence where Max is having one of his major tantrums and we get a glimpse of his alter ego character donning the books trade mark fox suit.  This scene itself is remarkably powerful and children just wouldn’t understand it. throughout the film there is some much deep inner meaning that would be just wasted on children for example each of the creatures show a different side to Max’s emotions. One of the main Wild Things Carol (James Gandolfini) is Max’s imagination; he also shares max’s anger and at times his child tantrums. The problem with Carol is that during the film he becomes so scary that, he presents the biggest problem ………..the anger inside Max that may threaten to kill him (this alone is one of the strangest parts of the film to which it takes such a turn that you fear for Max’s life!! Judith (Catherine O’Hara) is his evil side, always trying to turn people against each other. Douglas (Chris Cooper) is the problem solver. KW is Max’s love for the world (I think), Ira (Forest Whitaker) is his relaxed side showing that he is just a child without a care in the world, Alexander (Paul Dano) his insecurity and the bull type thing (Well I couldn’t find out his name!?) is his empathy side.

It is soon clear that Max has no friends, talks to himself and creates friends in his head. In one scene he is outside talking to a fence and then suddenly decides to have an argument with it?? Sounds funny, but it is so sad seeing a child not having any real connection with the world that he has to resort to making up friends and even falling out with them.

The film itself left me feeling confused and I had to watch it again to fully understand the meaning behind it all.  It is beautiful and scary and I can understand why Legendary Pictures would feel apprehensive about its release. The film is so dark, that in parts it is extremely scary! I could go on and on about this film but I think it would be best to watch it yourself. Just go in with an empty mind and enjoy what you see! It’s definitely “a love it” or “hate it” kinda film, (I still haven’t found anyone who has enjoyed this film other than myself), but see for yourself…. I fell in love with it!

DJKeef