Where the Wild Things Are...
Oct. 16th, 2009 03:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Saw Where the Wild Things Are.
Some Thoughts (a.k.a Spike Jonze, what is wrong with you?):
Fabulous movie, but damn. That was pretty dark for a kid's movie. And I'm not talking about "Aw, Nemo's siblings and mother were eaten at the beginning of the movie and that's sad" dark. Rather, I'm talking "Omg, why are they yelling? Why is everyone so sad? What's going on, Mommy" dark. I actually heard a little girl sitting behind me say, "This is so sad" at one point, and another little boy was scared during some of the wild thing scenes.
Nonetheless, I loved the movie. It's great, and I wasn't disappointed in any way. But by the time we hit Carol's second meltdown, I was going, "Really, Spike Jonze? You're going there?" I also think some of the themes were too complex for kids, and I'm not gonna lie-- I don't think I got everything either. Which annoys me because this is a kid's movie. XD
The ending was bittersweet, heavy on the bitter. The audience I saw the movie with was so traumatized that no one clapped, and the theater was empty before we even hit the actor credits. No one stayed for the actor credits, as in no one was intrigued enough to find out who all the voices were because they were too busy being traumatized. Damn.
Still. A good movie.
P.S: James Gandolfini rocks, whether he's playing a mafioso sociopath or a big, furry sociopath.
Some Thoughts (a.k.a Spike Jonze, what is wrong with you?):
Fabulous movie, but damn. That was pretty dark for a kid's movie. And I'm not talking about "Aw, Nemo's siblings and mother were eaten at the beginning of the movie and that's sad" dark. Rather, I'm talking "Omg, why are they yelling? Why is everyone so sad? What's going on, Mommy" dark. I actually heard a little girl sitting behind me say, "This is so sad" at one point, and another little boy was scared during some of the wild thing scenes.
Nonetheless, I loved the movie. It's great, and I wasn't disappointed in any way. But by the time we hit Carol's second meltdown, I was going, "Really, Spike Jonze? You're going there?" I also think some of the themes were too complex for kids, and I'm not gonna lie-- I don't think I got everything either. Which annoys me because this is a kid's movie. XD
The ending was bittersweet, heavy on the bitter. The audience I saw the movie with was so traumatized that no one clapped, and the theater was empty before we even hit the actor credits. No one stayed for the actor credits, as in no one was intrigued enough to find out who all the voices were because they were too busy being traumatized. Damn.
Still. A good movie.
P.S: James Gandolfini rocks, whether he's playing a mafioso sociopath or a big, furry sociopath.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 01:50 am (UTC)ICU repeating yourself. =P haha, understandable. It's a good line ;)
hahaha, I feel like the only one who actually liked it! I agree that some of the themes were way too complex and over kids' heads, but idk, I understood it. I'm pretty sure the Wild Things were supposed to mirror different types of children, not adults, which is what people are saying online -- that they're not "realistic" as grown-ups. (MAYBE IT'S CUZ THEY'RE NOT. Really? You wanted it to be realistic? Floating across the ocean to a land that doesn't exist in reality wasn't realistic? YOU'RE KIDDING!) Anyways... yeah, I don't get what's not to get, from a more adult perspective. I can't think of anything that I was confused about for too long.
CAROL, THAT WAS MY FAVORITE ARM!!!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 06:37 am (UTC)You're not the only one who liked it! I think we all liked it.
Hmn. I'm gonna have to think about the wild things being representative of children cause I didn't read it that way at all. If the wild thing world is supposed to mirror Max's real world-- and I kinda think it has to-- and there aren't any other kids his age depicted, then I don't see why the wild things would be representative of children. Judith, in particular, had a lot of lines that sounded like a grown-up/parent to me. Though, KW and her choice of friends (Bob and Teri) over family is clearly representative of Max's sister putting her friends over him; hence, why they both angst over the loss of their respective sisters. I'm fairly certain Carol is actually Max as Max subconsciously fears himself to be. Of course, Alexander is a bit of Max, too, as he is smaller than the rest and no one pays attention to him.
Maybe all the wild things are actually aspects of Max?
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 07:47 am (UTC)Ah, I didn't mean specific kids -- Max was pretty much the only kid in the movie -- but just types: if anyone was "Max" it was Carol for sure; I saw Alexander as the little kid who grabs onto your leg just to make sure he's seen (sadface); KW is the one growing up too fast, and yeah, a lot like the sister, like you said. I saw KW as more of the parental figure, actually. And then Judith, I thought, was the most like a kid, actually; especially the part where she's upset over Carol being "the favorite", and the "you can't do that!" last-minute changes in the game that would ensure that she "won." If that makes any sense...
Now that I think of it, I don't think each Wild Thing was representative of just one thing, but I think they represent different aspects of Max and his world, which is probably why it felt a bit disjointed and, idk, weird at parts.
The more I think about the movie, the more uncomfortable I am with just how and dark it really was. I still really liked it though; so much to pick apart, obviously =) and some great lines and cute moments that were believable for a kid. I hate when Hollywood wants you to believe these first graders are spewing out these cheesy lines or exaggerated baby-talk.
But anyway. I need sleep. Next time we see each other, we'll have to dissect the whole dirt-clod fight and the aspect of violence because I'm kind of stuck on it right now... haha, all of this from just a kids movie =P
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 03:11 am (UTC)Have you read any interviews with Maurice Sendak? They're a good read, and not just because we get his ringing approval for the movie (which we do, but still). It's because he's the orneriest old Jewish guy who honestly does not give a crap what people think, because he knows he's good at what he does.
Reporter: "What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?"
Sendak: "I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate."
Reporter: "Because kids can handle it?"
Sendak: "If they can't handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it's not a question that can be answered."
Also, Spike Jonze has said that this is not necessarily a kid's movie as much as it is a movie about childhood. So don't feel so bad.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 06:11 am (UTC)D: D: D: I guess the real question I should have asked was, "Maurice Sendak, what is wrong with YOU?" DAMN.
See, I knew I would encounter the 'ol "it's not really a kid's movie," but I don't accept that in this case. Not when it's this movie. Not when it's one of the most beloved children's books of all time and is guaranteed to have millions of little kids in the audience. I mean, this isn't Pan's Labyrinth, where the presence of a child heroine and fairy tale themes are in no way indicative of a child audience. Whatever Sendak says, Spike Jonze had an obligation to make this one kid-friendly, and I say that as a person who usually scorns the hell out of kid-friendly anything.
But I still loved the movie! Don't get me wrong.
"Man I want to see this so badly, and your endorsements are dearly earned, which makes me want to see it even more."
Lol. Aw, I'm not that bad. I just expect things to be, you know, good. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 09:00 am (UTC)Now, Pan's Labyrinth...are you bringing it up because of comparable levels of darkness? Because if so, DAMN. This is gonna be nuts.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-17 11:16 am (UTC)The darkness is fairly subtle in WtWTA, and I half expect someone to pop into this thread at some point going, "What? That movie wasn't dark! What are you talking about?" Of course, I would call that a shallow interpretation, but whatever. ;) It's kinda hard to explain when you haven't seen it, but there is a major character-- a muppet, no less-- who has something of a mental disorder and has total breakdowns at the slightest provocation, which leads to some scary/violent episodes that I think would confuse younger viewers who no doubt consider him a friendly muppet. A teacher randomly rants to his elementary school class about the sun dying, and the world/humanity dying off as a result. There are some heavy familial issues that are dealt with on a metaphorical level which I question whether most kids are even capable of comprehending. Also, the ending is ambiguous, sad, and bittersweet.
Be sure to post your own thoughts after you've seen it. I can't wait to dialogue with you on this. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-18 02:08 am (UTC)