Movie Review…. Odd….
I have some favorite children’s books that I could read over and over again. To the point that most I have memorized. Like The Napping House, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, or Chicka ChickaBoom Boom . But one of my most loved books is Where the Wild Things Are. I’m not even sure why – I love the drawings, the simple story, the love of the mother even in the midst of discipline {she brings Max his dinner in the end}.
When I saw that the book was made into a movie and it was listed on my PPV channel I thought it would be a great to watch with my kiddos. Let’s just say I wish I had looked up the reviews first.
While the movie had its highlights – the characters of the “Wild Thing” Island were so wonderfully made – we were all in awe of them. Max reminded us much of the Max in the book. But sadly that is about where it ends.
The book is a fun read – a story of a boy who likes to be wild and gets in trouble. He becomes a king of an island with others who like to be wild… but in the end misses his Mom and goes back home to a happy ending of a warm meal waiting for him.
The movie, in our opinion, was dark. The boy is struggling with who he is in a world of a divorced working mother. After a “wild thing” extreme with his Mother, he runs away and into a forest that leads to water with a boat.
Once at the island we expect to see a boy becoming king of the Wild Things and great fun being had by all. But again the movie is dark. There is discontent among the Wild Things and one is destroying all the homes. The boy struggles to hold his own and is elected King. For brief moments in the movie things become light and fun… briefly. The dark returns, the movie becomes deeply depressing and I even become worried that something scary will happen.
Yes, in the end he is reunited with his Mother… it is an odd reunion and I was left wondering about the childhood Max has lost out on. Sad, confused…. I’ll stick with the book and the light fun childhood fantasy world. But remember, this is one woman’s opinion…. I’m sure others would not agree with my review.
It is sad when the move turns to darkness – children books I want to bee happy. Of cours children can also listen to stories that have some problem or issues but they should tell it in a good way.
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That’s too bad you missed the reviews. I read a few when it was released that said its themes were too adult. I hope no one is traumatized. You won’t be the first who has not done the reviews.
What a shame they turn a good book into such a dark movie. I am afraid that is what is being done with the new Alice in Wonderland too. Have you seen previews for that one?? Thanks for the review. I think I’ll just stick to the book.
I had heard that about the movie- think I’ll skip it too!
~Becca
I heard that same thing…from my own son. He’s grown and away from home, but was so excited that one of his childhood favorites was going to be a movie…after seeing it he was disappointed and didn’t like it one bit.
I hate it when they mess up books in the movies!
Oh no…my sister got this movie for my son for his birthday along with the book.
That’s too bad about the movie. Great books you mentioned. We love The Napping House and have worn through 2 Chicka Chicka Boom Booms.