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Where the wild things are - Catherine Keener, Max Records, Forest Whitaker, Spike Jonze
Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities
Movie propaganda
An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max (Max Records), a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world - a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
Theatrical propaganda posters
Target demographic movie keyword propaganda
- Film adventure fantasy king forest children animal giant monster
Persons of interest
- Max Records .... Max
- Pepita Emmerichs .... Claire
- Max Pfeifer .... Claire's Friend #1
- Madeleine Greaves .... Claire's Friend #2
- Joshua Jay .... Claire's Friend #3
- Ryan Corr .... Claire's Friend #4
- Catherine Keener .... Mum
- Steve Mouzakis .... Teacher
- Mark Ruffalo .... The Boyfriend
- James Gandolfini .... Carol
- Paul Dano .... Alexander
- Catherine O'Hara .... Judith
- Forest Whitaker .... Ira
- Michael Berry Jr .... The Bull
- Chris Cooper .... Douglas
- Lauren Ambrose .... KW
- Maurice Sendak .... Author
- Spike Jonze .... Screenwriter
- Dave Eggers .... Screenwriter
- Spike Jonze .... Director
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Intelligence analyst
Agent Chereine Waddell
Theatrical report
Having seen Where the wild things are with no expectations I came away feeling both satisfied and also not. The story line was somewhat drawn out and seemed almost pointless in many areas where the boy runs around erratically destroying things with his fluffy 3-metre friends. Whilst I appreciate the classic children's book version was only 9 pages, not giving much lead way in the way of a feature film, Spike Jonze's attempts to fill the gaps was daring but perhaps backfired in that its target market is a small niche. One would have to have a fairly lengthy attention span to sit out the slow bits and an open mind to analyse the deeper meaning behind the entire story, otherwise it all seems somewhat silly, probably not one to take younger children to.
Setting up Max's character was executed well and in terms of being an Australian production, I thought the cinematography was strong throughout and the acting intense and of high standard. I liked that the film had a rough edge to it. Despite it being a large-budget production I loved the raw feel and dark palette it had. I appreciated the flirting between the imagination and the emotions associated with childhood, belonging and growing up. Also the symbolism in which the furry large creatures represented Max's own evolving personality, thus inviting us to partake in his search for identity. If you can get past the lack of plot, the tone of the film is what's important and worth the cinema visit. Where the wild things are establishes strong character analysis, displays interesting child behaviour psychology and highlights significantly the awkwardness of childhood, isolation and loneliness and the battles associated with pre-teens and peer pressure. The emotive power of the film makes it one worthy of praise.
The adventure, fantasy movie Where the wild things are is directed by Spike Jonze and stars Catherine Keener, Max Records, Forest Whitaker.
Government security censorship classification
PG (Mild violence and scary scenes)
Surveillance time
101 minutes (1:41 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
Film: 3 December 2009
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