tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871549895931317151.post5652648397386816856..comments2023-11-28T15:20:59.369-05:00Comments on Cinema Viewfinder: Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are (2009)Tony Dayoubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04632329277519635858noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871549895931317151.post-16893763066622426612009-10-28T22:24:44.467-04:002009-10-28T22:24:44.467-04:00Good review! I totally agree with you that while t...Good review! I totally agree with you that while this movie isn't letter-perfect, it's certainly an intriguing take on the tale we all grew up on.<br /><br />I like that it wasn't just a matter of Max getting lonely (as he does in the book)...but that he actually grew up a little while he was away. It's a pretty bold inclusion into the original structure, and one that could have easily backfired.<br /><br />Great review!Ryan McNeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00440134802928893661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871549895931317151.post-75518711070025100272009-10-28T10:42:30.324-04:002009-10-28T10:42:30.324-04:00Interesting point. I liked it on the level of art...Interesting point. I liked it on the level of art, and recommend it as something everyone should see. But it is hard to say I ENJOYED it, and it may be a while before I revisit it as well.Tony Dayoubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632329277519635858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871549895931317151.post-59349536853978235322009-10-27T16:11:48.057-04:002009-10-27T16:11:48.057-04:00I was saying on Jim's Scanners blog last week ...I was saying on Jim's Scanners blog last week how I really felt that <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i> owes something to Melissa Mathison's screenplays. It takes from <i>E.T</i> the concept that a boy with an absent father may turn into an unforgiving critic of his mother. It takes from <i>The Indian in the Cupboard</i> the whole notion of a boy learning just how dangerous it is to play God. And, even though this is a bit of a stretch, it's a lot like <i>Kundun</i> as well: the boy realizes that he is no match for the people he is trying to rule, and has to flee immediately.<br /><br />I like the movie, mostly because it is daring and because Jonze and Eggers are unafraid to raise some serious moral questions- even if they aren't exactly sure how to deal with them in the end. But as some of the children in the audience were probably feeling, I was relieved when Max finally left the island. Staying in the company of these creatures- even the nice ones- was uncomfortable for me, and I can't imagine seeing the movie a second time. Maybe after it ages... maybe.Adam Zanziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14524618281515322239noreply@blogger.com