'Where The Wild Things Are'

'Where The Wild Things Are' (PG) ****

Writers: Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers based on the book by Maurice Sendak
Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Paul Dano, Chris Cooper, Lauren Ambrose, Forest Whitaker

"Let The Wild Rumpus Start!". Let it start indeed because Spike Jonze has made one of the best children's movies ever and one of the best screen adaptations ever. Based on the classic by Maurice Sendak, "Where the Wild Things Are" this captures the imagination of a child brilliantly and beautifully. It also captures childhood, it's scariness, loneliness, uncertainties and emotions in a way that no movie has done in quite awhile. What is wonderful about it is that adults will appreciate it more even though the kids will find it amazing. It looks different with it's mastery of mood and cinematography with darkness, and shadows and haunting beauty. I think why adults will find this fascinating is because it will bring them back to the wonderment of childhood when everything was possible and you were freer to explore your imagination. I identified with the main character Max played so well by Max Records a child actor who conveys every emotion with clarity and power. I think many adults will because for me it brought back memories of the freedom of my childhood and the fearlessness of exploring my imagination. Everything and anything is possible in the imaginary World that Max creates. Instead of going to his room when his Mom loses her temper and yells at him to create this World as in the book he runs outside and takes a boat to travel there. This I think is more effective because it feels like he is really traveling there which makes it more suspenseful. He then encounters many scary and enormous beasts that convey every one of his emotions. He can convince them that he is a King in his World and that anything he says goes. Of course in your imaginary World wouldn't you be the ruler?

The book by Maurice Sendak had very few words and mostly pictures but the drawings were full of detail and emotion. I am amazed at what Spike Jonze did as a director and as a writer with Dave Eggers with this book. How they came up with dialogue and created a story out of little is a masterful accomplishment. This movie has not one wasted moment, not one wasted or uninteresting shot. It was a magical, scary, beautiful and emotional experience for me as I am sure it will be for most. It is not only a glorious visceral experience but a perfect recreation of childhood and innocence. Both Worlds that Jonze creates are distinct and effective in their own way. The scenes with Max and his mother, played by the great Catherine Keener, and the child actors playing his sister and her friends feel real and when Max starts a snowball fight with them it goes from a feeling of fun and belonging to a scary feeling of abandonment powerfully. Max has to supress his wildness and imagination for his Mother but in the parallel World he creates he can let loose, be wild and explore. His imaginary World is just as real as it also goes from joy and power to loss and abandonment. When watching the previews I was afraid I would find the creatures distracting. I couldn't be more wrong mainly because the voice work by Whitaker, O'Hara, Dano, Ambrose, Cooper and especially James Gandolfini is awesome. Also the emotions and facial expressions on the creatures fit all their individual emotions as each character carries one distinct emotion of Max. This is a completely wonderful and amazing masterpiece that needs to be seen twice to discover it's power and I can't wait to see it again on IMAX. This movie could become just as much as a classic as say "The Wizard of Oz" was as it gets revisited again and again. Spike Jonze has done an amazing job and has proven he is one of the brightest and best directors there is out there now. I hope this movie has the same effect on you and becomes a new classic for all families as the book is because it deserves it!