Escape to the Movies: Where the Wild Things Are
- Thread starter MovieBob
- Start date
Giant manic depressian monsters lol I loved th ebook as a child and i was not so keen on the idea of a film because im now grown up (yay me). I lik the way Bob says this can be entertaining to adults, so i wll have to go see it.
I don't know if I will even have time to see this, but I really want to see this in the theaters.
Go go moviebob for standing up for children!
Go go moviebob for standing up for children!
Thank god that they did not butchered this childhood classic. Actually it sounds like it may be even better than the book. I might go and check this out.
Good review as always.
Good review as always.
Wonderful review, Bob! I read this story a million times as a kid, and I was a bit worried about how this would adapt as a full-length feature film. Worried that it would either add too much and dilute and destroy the book that I loved, or that it wouldn't be expanded enough to make it a good movie. Definitely, definitely need to check this out.
Also, never thought about Calvin and Hobbes like that before. Interesting...
Also, never thought about Calvin and Hobbes like that before. Interesting...
I may go see this movie today.
I was really hoping this would have been "Black Dynamite" instead.
Edit: I went and saw it. Bob's review is pretty accurate in my opinion.
The "manic depression" statement is a little too simplified. Each of the Wild Things lament something of what Max is feeling so Max doesn't have too in his imagination place. One speaks of loneliness, another that nobody listens, another the desire to have friends, and one that just doesn't want change and gets very upset when it happens. Two of them act like a husband and wife. They scream and fight sometimes in front of those around them; an obvious cue to parents fighting in front of the children. Overall they all have some sort of symbolism behind them. Of course it isn't always present, especially in scenes where the magic of playing within the imagination is more important. Example given, dirt clots.
Visually it is nice. Mostly organic given the setting. The acting is top notch including the voice over talent. It was very entertaining. Adults in the theater appeared to enjoy it. Kids liked the adventure stuff. I don't have kids, but if I did I would not hesitate letting them see it. If you let your kids watch Transformers or GIJoe, this is much less a problem. In this movie there is no gratuitous language, sexual tones, or other adult only themes. Any menace of violence is emotional driven instead of trying to stop the bad guy. And the violence that is here is far more tame than anything in those movies. Don't let the fact it came from a children's book pigion hole it to a sugar coated movie. This movie deals with real emotions to both extremes of positive and negative.
The only real major complaint I have for the movie is sometimes it dragged. Usually for a scene's visual "beauty," but it dragged because it wasn't developing the story/plot in those moments. Kind of how in Transformers2 the end battle dragged on for 20 minutes longer than required for the plot. It was done to watch the spectacle of Bay's explosions and Fox's boobies bouncing in slow-mo.
I was really hoping this would have been "Black Dynamite" instead.
Edit: I went and saw it. Bob's review is pretty accurate in my opinion.
The "manic depression" statement is a little too simplified. Each of the Wild Things lament something of what Max is feeling so Max doesn't have too in his imagination place. One speaks of loneliness, another that nobody listens, another the desire to have friends, and one that just doesn't want change and gets very upset when it happens. Two of them act like a husband and wife. They scream and fight sometimes in front of those around them; an obvious cue to parents fighting in front of the children. Overall they all have some sort of symbolism behind them. Of course it isn't always present, especially in scenes where the magic of playing within the imagination is more important. Example given, dirt clots.
Visually it is nice. Mostly organic given the setting. The acting is top notch including the voice over talent. It was very entertaining. Adults in the theater appeared to enjoy it. Kids liked the adventure stuff. I don't have kids, but if I did I would not hesitate letting them see it. If you let your kids watch Transformers or GIJoe, this is much less a problem. In this movie there is no gratuitous language, sexual tones, or other adult only themes. Any menace of violence is emotional driven instead of trying to stop the bad guy. And the violence that is here is far more tame than anything in those movies. Don't let the fact it came from a children's book pigion hole it to a sugar coated movie. This movie deals with real emotions to both extremes of positive and negative.
The only real major complaint I have for the movie is sometimes it dragged. Usually for a scene's visual "beauty," but it dragged because it wasn't developing the story/plot in those moments. Kind of how in Transformers2 the end battle dragged on for 20 minutes longer than required for the plot. It was done to watch the spectacle of Bay's explosions and Fox's boobies bouncing in slow-mo.
What an excellent analysis of the film!
I've yet to see it, but just watching this review really peeks my interest, especially at the subtle, and not-so-subtle, themes that are apparently weaved into the movie.
Bob, I know we haven't always agreed, and sometimes you come off as just another angry person on the internet (Like we need more of those), but reviews like this really showcase your ability as a movie critic. I hope you do more like this (Though I understand that it depends on what crap, or gold, is released that week).
And no worries, I chuckled at the 'Melon-Colly' pun.
I've yet to see it, but just watching this review really peeks my interest, especially at the subtle, and not-so-subtle, themes that are apparently weaved into the movie.
Bob, I know we haven't always agreed, and sometimes you come off as just another angry person on the internet (Like we need more of those), but reviews like this really showcase your ability as a movie critic. I hope you do more like this (Though I understand that it depends on what crap, or gold, is released that week).
And no worries, I chuckled at the 'Melon-Colly' pun.
Oh Bob! Bob Bob Bob! Faux misanthropy? Really?
Other than that, yes. Where the Wild Things Are was one of my favourite books as a child, primarily for the reasons you outlined. Now, as a grown up (ish), Where the Wild Things Are is a truly genius look at a child retreating to his own imagination to deal with stresses that adults forget about as teenagers.
Besides, it's Where the Wild Things Are! It's meant to be scary for adults!
Other than that, yes. Where the Wild Things Are was one of my favourite books as a child, primarily for the reasons you outlined. Now, as a grown up (ish), Where the Wild Things Are is a truly genius look at a child retreating to his own imagination to deal with stresses that adults forget about as teenagers.
Besides, it's Where the Wild Things Are! It's meant to be scary for adults!
This review actually got me somewhat interested in seeing the film.
Previously, my interest lay solely on the fact that the first trailer featured an Arcade Fire song--the book was never one of my "childhood favorites" (and to that extent, I never understood why, in high school, some of my "arty" friends revered it so), but it is one I had read a couple of times.
Your review, however, seemed to wipe away some of the cult-ish, fanboy/girl gloss and made me want to at least give it a try.
...eventually.
Maybe once it hits NetFlix or OnDemand...
Previously, my interest lay solely on the fact that the first trailer featured an Arcade Fire song--the book was never one of my "childhood favorites" (and to that extent, I never understood why, in high school, some of my "arty" friends revered it so), but it is one I had read a couple of times.
Your review, however, seemed to wipe away some of the cult-ish, fanboy/girl gloss and made me want to at least give it a try.
...eventually.
Maybe once it hits NetFlix or OnDemand...
when I first heard about this I couldnt wait. then through varoius conversations I was almost convinced that I didnt want to see someone elses take on a picture book where you fill in most of teh real story yourself
now I dont think that I can't see this movie and I will be missing out on something special if I dont go and see it at the cinema
thanks. great review.
now I dont think that I can't see this movie and I will be missing out on something special if I dont go and see it at the cinema
thanks. great review.
nice review.
I wonder what film he'll see next. Personally I'd like to see his take on "Paranormal Activity" which is apparently one of the most frightening movies ever made and due to it's low budget might peak his interest.
I wonder what film he'll see next. Personally I'd like to see his take on "Paranormal Activity" which is apparently one of the most frightening movies ever made and due to it's low budget might peak his interest.
Yay Calvin and Hobbes! That likening there is just enough for me to go see this film, not that I wasn't going to anyway. But for Christsakes please improve the quality of the damn video.
Sounds remarkably deep for what appears on the surface to be a bunch of goofing off being epically cinematographicly captured.
I was very on the edge for seeing this movie as I didn't wan't to see my favorite children's book completely butchered as a film.
[small]I also didn't want to leave the theater in tears if it turned out to be a nostalgic blast from my past...[/small]
Bob, you have convinced me to see this movie. I'm heading home this weekend and may try to catch a viewing of this with my mother and grandmother as a way to honor and bring back the fond memories of being tucked into bed by either of them and having this read to me.
Thank you. You have, yet again, convinced me to see a movie I was on edge about.
I am growing more and more fond of you each passing review.
[small]I also didn't want to leave the theater in tears if it turned out to be a nostalgic blast from my past...[/small]
Bob, you have convinced me to see this movie. I'm heading home this weekend and may try to catch a viewing of this with my mother and grandmother as a way to honor and bring back the fond memories of being tucked into bed by either of them and having this read to me.
Thank you. You have, yet again, convinced me to see a movie I was on edge about.
I am growing more and more fond of you each passing review.
Just a question to you personally Bob (With-out being too creepy as to private message you) what would restore your hope in humanity?. I'm not trying to be sarcastic or even funny, this is a legitimate question and what you would think a film would need to do in order to restore your hope in humanity.
As a young media student hoping to get into directing this is the kind of information is important to me.
As a young media student hoping to get into directing this is the kind of information is important to me.
MovieBob said: