Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are: child-friendly hit or miss?
Christy Fayette & Alyson Levitz-Jones
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The film has been a topic of conversation for many people, especially among students our age. Where the Wild Things Are is obviously something close to our hearts-a handful of Denison and other college students even dressed up as Wild Things over the Halloween weekend. But beyond our (and some of our parent's) nostalgic ties to the book, people our age can connect so well to the film because it addresses common familial matters that many of us experienced growing up; seeing the effects of such family struggles on Max is something to which we can relate. Max is someone we can, and do, root for as he discovers that violence isn't the solution to his problems.
The picture book's 40-plus years shelf-life has probed the dilemna of whether or not Where the Wild Things Are is a children's movie. At face value, the majority of the film fits the categorization of a child-friendly movie (cute, furry creatures befriend a young boy as they proceed to play in and dictate an imaginary world). Some have been hesitant to label it as such, though, not only because of the parts of the movie that tug at the viewer's heart strings, but because of the fact that the feelings and conflicts of these imaginary creatures living in their imaginary world are, in fact, very much real.
Conclusively, Where the Wild Things Are is a great movie to see with kids; its presentation of the classic childhood book goes a step beyond the simple, carefree life of an imaginative boy by instead delving into the frustration that all children feel at some point in their lives. The film gives its older viewers a chance to relish in the past as it presents its younger viewers with subtle life-lessons.
Where the Wild Things Are is a delightful movie that is the perfect escape mechanism for our generation to get back into the imaginative mindset of a child without forgetting the often harsh realities of the real world.
The picture book's 40-plus years shelf-life has probed the dilemna of whether or not Where the Wild Things Are is a children's movie. At face value, the majority of the film fits the categorization of a child-friendly movie (cute, furry creatures befriend a young boy as they proceed to play in and dictate an imaginary world). Some have been hesitant to label it as such, though, not only because of the parts of the movie that tug at the viewer's heart strings, but because of the fact that the feelings and conflicts of these imaginary creatures living in their imaginary world are, in fact, very much real.
Conclusively, Where the Wild Things Are is a great movie to see with kids; its presentation of the classic childhood book goes a step beyond the simple, carefree life of an imaginative boy by instead delving into the frustration that all children feel at some point in their lives. The film gives its older viewers a chance to relish in the past as it presents its younger viewers with subtle life-lessons.
Where the Wild Things Are is a delightful movie that is the perfect escape mechanism for our generation to get back into the imaginative mindset of a child without forgetting the often harsh realities of the real world.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Rachel
posted 11/11/09 @ 12:43 AM EST
You must not have children. I love the book but this movie is ridiculous. It is loud and violent and not appropriate for young children. Secondly, Max is a character that seems to find his way into the Wild Things world by lying. (Continued…)
Riley
posted 11/15/09 @ 4:57 PM EST
I agree. It is a horrible movie. It dwells on mood swings and is disturbing. There is PLENTY of violence and it is not something children should watch. (Continued…)
Post a Comment