Where The Wild Things Are

Since the day I first found out a live action film based on the book “Where the Wild Things Are” was in production, I began following the news and trailers for months.
When the day finally came that I was able to see it, I walked out of the theater with mixed emotions. I felt joy and entertainment, but I was also a little overwhelmed.
The movie takes the basic frame of the book, in which a young boy named Max makes mischief and is sent to his room without supper, and inserts a darker plot. In the book, Max dreams the island as an imaginary escape from his time out.
The movie makes the island real. And it includes real-life issues such as turmoil between the monsters and their hope that things will be better with their new king, Max. As you watch, you see Max struggling with his own issues, as well as the new burden of the happiness of the monsters.
I was impressed that director Spike Jonze managed to take a book with about 10 lines and make it into a full-length movie that reflects the emotions many children feel. Although the movie’s plot is wonderful, it felt slightly out of place within what’s known as one of the most beloved children’s books of all time.
My main complaint with “Where the Wild Things Are” is that it was incorrectly billed as light and carefree, as well as appropriate for children. The plot runs extremely deep, using the Wild Things to portray issues going on in Max’s own life, such as the separation of his parents and neglect he feels as his sister grows older.
Not only does the plot go above children’s heads, certain parts of the movie were extremely frightening and disturbing even to me. Viewers are made to fear for Max’s life and watch as the Wild Things of the children’s book ruthlessly fight both physically and verbally. Many parents have complained about the scary nature of the film and felt it should have been rated PG-13 instead of the PG rating it received.
On the other hand, in the same way my younger self was impressed by Maurice Sendak’s illustrations, the visuals in “Where the Wild Things Are” were stunning. I was happy to hear the monsters were not solely computer-generated imagery, but instead played by actors in enormous suits with computer-generated faces and some animatronics.
In addition to great visuals, the music was so catchy that I bought the soundtrack the next day. Composed by Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and the Kids, the music worked with every scene. The credits end with the extremely catchy single “All is Love,” which I’ve found myself singing for the past few days.
In the end, I enjoyed the darker direction that Jonze and Sendak took for the film adaptation of “Where the Wild Things Are.” However, I’m 17 years old. Like many people, I was a little miffed by how opposite the film was from the carefree and happy trailers and advertisements.
While the movie felt perfect for me, I would not take my 3-year-old nephew to see it nor would I recommend it to anyone with young children.

— Kateri Town is a senior at La Salle High School and a member of the Herald-Republic’s Unleashed journalism program for students.