The Phantom Tollbooth - Movies Reviews Index


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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	Where the Wild Things Are Earlier this month the new KISS music CD was released and I ran right out and bought it. Not because I expected stellar tunes but instead because of what the band means to me and my childhood memories. I grew up listening to these guys. My first birthday present I remember vividly as one of their albums. So to me they represent my adolescence and a simpler time. I feel like the new film, Where the Wild Things Are will have the same appeal to those who grew up reading the book and loving the story. It is something they will adore, not because it is a great film, but what it represents to them. There has been a lot of buzz about this new fantasy-adventure from Director Spike Jonze. Based on the beloved children’s book by Maurice Sendak Where the Wild Things Are tells the story of a imaginative young lad named Max who escapes the emotional struggles of home for a place called Monster Island. There he is made king of the wild things and expected to bring them joy and peace. What Max soon discovers is that there is a lot of pressure and responsibility in that task. When not running amuck and building huge cavernous fortresses with his new, large, furry friends he mainly tries not to be eaten. Other than that nothing really happens in this movie on the surface. It is in going deeper that you get anything from it. Never having read the book I struggled to find a way to bond with Max and his bits of rage and wildness. My first thought was why hasn’t someone busted his tail and made him act like a civilized human being. Coming from a broken home and being ignored by an older sibling is not cause for destruction. I am the first to commend the freedom of creativity and exploration in kids but I think there has to be a balance of respect and responsibility for actions there too. Max has none of that. So I didn’t like this little hellion from the get go and that made it hard to find the joy in his adventures or sympathize with his situation. That said I found this to be a dark story and one that I enjoyed delving into. The monsters on monster island each obviously represent an aspect of Max’s personality as well as members of his family. Maybe I put way too much thought into it but that was honestly the only way I could take anything from it. I had to make it a cerebral film or I would be left with just a shallow story and an unpleasant tyke. What worked for me? The monsters are the foundation of this film regardless of the direction you go into it. Voiced by strong, recognizable names (James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, and Chris Cooper) the monsters are a mix of good and evil. Even though at times they have a Kuala bear cuddliness about them you get a sense that just below the surface is a danger that can quickly destroy you. The look too of these creatures was amazing due in part to Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Henson defined the art of large puppets and they add a dimension to this film that is at time wonderfully captivating. Where the Wild Things Are is rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language. Though most will watch this with no issue I have to wonder if some of the scenes might be a bit frightening for your really young film goers. There are times when the monsters turn on Max and there is nothing cute about it. They are sinister in their intentions. Other than that and the concern that your kid might get the idea that destructiveness should be rewarded you will have no worry with content. I have a hard time ranking this film. I personally give it only 3 out of 5 dirt clods. But, I really like my KISS CD and have a feeling that those who have a pre-bond with this story will love the movie immensely. For the rest of you, good luck. So says Matt Mungle Matt Mungle (10/13/09) Review copyright 2009 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.