Where The Wild Things Are (It's For Big Kids) by TuJiaoZuo

TALK STORY

Where The Wild Things Are (It's For Big Kids)

POSTED BY: TUJIAOZUO
UPDATED: Sunday, October 18, 2009 21:18
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VIEWED: 2390
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Friday, October 16, 2009 8:46 PM

Just got back.

Truly a brilliant, lovingly crafted film. Writing, Cinematography, Acting, Puppetery, CG, it all comes together perfectly. The Wild Things are real, tangible nine foot tall beasts (props to Jim Henson's Creature Shop) with only their faces enhanced by CG, giving them live instead of making them look like a giant walking special effect. The kid who plays Max is beyond his years in acting, portraying a child that could easily become unloveable or a generic kid character with great realism.

(Spoilers from here on out guys)

However, this movie isn't for small children. There was nary a child in the theatre I went to. It was filled with mostly animation students and Indie/Hipster young adults. The film touches heavily on loneliness and the loss of one's childhood, with the Wild Things clear representations of a child's family and personality. It rings true to adults, and is filled with many cute moments (Max as king declares they will always sleep in a pile).

But the movie isn't afraid to show the dark side of childhood and how children lash out to abandonment and the unknown. Carol, the undeclared head of the Wild Things (the big striped guy in all the posters), becomes more frustrated and angry as the movie progresses. Starting out as a friend and gentle giant, he in the end turns on Max (Because Max broke his promises about keeping everyone happy) and attempts to eat him. While the Wild Things are cute looking plump and covered in fur, their real looking claws and teeth make Carol look vicious when he lashes out and wreaks havoc on his loved ones and their fort. Little kids will start out loving Carol, but will get scared when he gets ugly, he's that real.

Overall, it's a great film. One of the best this year. Definitely for big kids, even more suited for adults. I would see it again, and I don't say that often because MPT classes have ruined me.

**On a side note, the screenplay writer to this movie is David Eggers, quite the rock-star of Contemporary Fiction (Author of A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius), who's exceptional at making characters real. He also co-wrote (with his wife) the indie-flick Away We Go, which is as equally as good and worth looking into.

Your Indian Pirate Lord,
Ash

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Saturday, October 17, 2009 4:39 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

I didn't much care for the book when I was a kid, but the movie does look impressive. I'll likely check it out, as it seems to have a talented cast of actors doing the voices. ( Loved Catherine O'Hara since her SCTV days

)

The T.Rex they call JANE!

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Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:38 AM

BYTEMITE

This is one of the few movies I've actually wanted to see this year.

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Sunday, October 18, 2009 3:51 PM

MISSTRESSAHARA

These books freaked me out as a child. Honestly the creatures were scary enough to give me nightmares and I was in the minority who hated them. Even now looking at the commercials it brings back terrible memories. There are some that will have loving memories of these stories and rejoice over having had a movie made, but there are the rare few (like me) who won't feel any good nostalgia. I'm glad you liked the movie though.

{{{*********~A footer is the closing of an article, not a kinky sex move~*********}}}

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Sunday, October 18, 2009 3:56 PM

BYTEMITE

I think I read the books? I'm not sure. I don't really think they left an impact on me, however.

I wanted to see the movie because I thought the creatures seemed well done, and because from what I heard of the premise, it appealed to something lighthearted and whimsical in me.

I was actually a bit disappointed in the movie, though I can't really put my finger on why. On an intellectual level, I appreciated the parallels between Caral (sp?) and Max and selfishness and family, and I eventually also figured out that Max probably was in his room, rather than actually having ran away, but the execution in the middle bothered me a bit.

Parts meant to appeal to the child in me through humour fell somewhat flat, and some of it I felt was cringe-worthy.

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Sunday, October 18, 2009 9:18 PM

BIGRICHARD

Quote:
Originally posted by TuJiaoZuo:
**On a side note, the screenplay writer to this movie is David Eggers, quite the rock-star of Contemporary Fiction (Author of A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius), who's exceptional at making characters real. He also co-wrote (with his wife) the indie-flick Away We Go, which is as equally as good and worth looking into.

Glad to hear you liked the movie TJZ, I've been waiting for it for ages, and I've been hoping it'll live up to the hype! (I live in Australia...it's not out here yet!)

In case you didn't know, David Eggers fell in love with the characters and the story so much, that he has written an adult novel adaptation of the book/movie, called The Wild Things.
Available on Amazon in two editions:
Hardcover
http://amzn.com/1934781614

and 'Fur-covered'
http://amzn.com/1934781622

"People who read this book because they enjoyed the original story or the movie will be very satisfied. Eggers fans will find that this is pretty different from his other books. But the best part about Eggers' writing has always been his honest and humane portrayal of emotions and relationships, and this signature quality rings true through the Wild Things just as it does with any of his other books."

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