An imaginative little boy having a tough day, at least in his own opinion, travels to an island full of wondrous landscapes and creatures. He wows the creatures right off the bat and becomes their king. He spends most of the day leading them in fun activities, but all good things come to an end.
Everyone handles emotions in a different way especially children, who's imagination is never more active and grasp on the real world never less understood. After throwing a temper-tantrum, the little boy, Max, literally visiting his wild side where he finds ultimate freedom and independence. Max makes an immediate bond with Carol (voiced by James Gandolfini), a monster who has the most in common with Max. Inevitably, Carol throws a similar tantrum. He ruins everyone's good time, loses the respect of some, and scares Max. At this point Max is done with this kind of world and just wants to return home. Even though Carol had just fought with him, he is incredibly sad to see Max leave, as is Max, but he knows its best to move on. The story was originally written as a psychoanalytical look at a child's anger, and the movie never forgets it.
It delivers all the zaniness and child-like innocence the previews promised, yet it is effectively somber at the same time. It reminds us all that are inner child is always there trying to escape, and even though it is not always appropriate, its good to let him our every once in awhile. The cast is incredibly endearing. The voice cast is phenomenal, and Max Records shows a lot of promise. They do a great job balancing the humor and tragedy within the film, but it is Spike Jonze directorial eye for the surreal that really allows this film to really fly.
Where the Wild Things is a fantastic, surreal cinematic experience, but its heavy tone and slow pacing may ruin what little entertainment value many thought it would for children
7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment