Where are the Wild Things? There’s One in All of Us.

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Autumn Busbee
October 20, 2009
Filed under A & E

Like most movies made from books, “Where the Wild Things Are” is loosely based from the actual book. Although the book is considered a “children’s book,” the film is definitely not one that all children should view. It deeply portrays the emotions children have, especially those of misunderstanding and lack of control.

The story book consists of ten short sentences and illustrations, but its plot runs deep. When published in 1963, it was critically acclaimed because it was scary for small children and even seemed to encourage difficult behavior. The protagonist, Max. is about nine years old. He disobeys his mother and is sent to bed without dinner. Then his “walls become the world all around,” and Max meets the monsters and declares himself king. After being their king for a while, he grows tired of it and “returns” home to find his dinner awaiting him in his room.

In the movie, much more is revealed about Max and his “situation” is put in a modern circumstance. His older sister overlooks him, his parents are divorced, and his mother seems to be occupied with things other than him. Because he can’t control anything in his life, Max is an angry and sullen child.

After going “wild” and biting his mother, Max runs away from home. He goes into an abandoned lot of woods which eventually lead him to where the wild things reside. Upon meeting them, Max proclaims himself king and promises to “make everything right and keep out the sadness.”

Unfortunately for Max, this task proves to be rather difficult when the monster’s true traits (which include jealousy, anger, and doubt) are exposed. He becomes burdened, and even when he asks for advice from Bob and Terry the owls, he can’t understand their reply. After one of the monsters tries harms him, Max decides to return home, but not without reaching some type of closure.

Besides its “dark and ambitious” premise (as dubbed by Rolling Stone,) Where the Wild Things Are is easily put into the limelight because of its music. All songs featured were recorded by Karen O (of the YeahYeahYeahs) and the Kids (a group of untrained children.) While some may be skeptical of the concept Karen O and the Kids, fear not. Their sound is pure and innocent, much unlike Karen O’s normal scene. The music is notable for its raw acoustics and generally poignant rhythm.