Review: Where the Wild Things Are

It is clear from the outset that Spike Jonze is a massive fan of Maurice Sendak's original story of Where the Wild Things Are. Joneze's first full length cinematic feature since 2002's Adaptation sees him also share a co-screenwriting credit this is an incredibly personal project and that shows from the outset and at times this works against the film rather than for it. At just 12 years old Max Records gives an icredibly mature performance as Max the boy who is finding it hard to adjust to his parent's separation and his sister's reluctance to play with him preferring to go off with friends insteaad. The opening segments depicting Max's home-life are sometimes hard to watch but at least give us the backstory we need and also feature the always brilliant Catheirne Keener as Max' mum.

The majority of the film sees Max interact with the Wild Things a group of large furry beasts and werid bird-like creatures. The creatures are all meant to make up parts of Max's psyche his individuality, his anger, his shyness and so on each are personified in one of these creatures. The film relies heavily on how much we care about these Wild Things as Max lies to them and says he is there king they take him and he helps them to build a society even though they often antagonistic. Although at times Max is hard to like, Recrods does his best to makes sure we always care if he makes it back home or not. Jonze has assembled a cast of mighty fine character actors to voice the Wild Things most notably James Gandolfini as Carol, Lauren Ambrose as KW, Paul Dano as Alexander and Catherine O'Hara as Judith.

The film is shot extensively outdoors which lets us see Max's freedom in what is ultimately a fantasy land as opposed to his very sheltered home life. Whereas I found the film interesting and enjoyed the elements of the young boy coming to terms with his personal situation through his encounters with the Wild Things, I think a lot of people - certainly a younger audience would struggle with some of the scenes. Therefore I think Jonze has made a film for himself and doesn't really care if you like it or not. Whether that's a good thing or not is up to how engaged you are with the story but personally I found incredibly original from start to finish even if at times I wasn't completely involved.