I remember reading Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are” (opened October 16 throughout San Diego) as a child and it was amazing. The main character, a little boy named Max, got in trouble, but even though he was in trouble he still had fun. To escape the punishment of being sent to his room without his supper, Max imagines that his room has been turned into a forest, the land of the wild where he meets a collection of “wild things.” It was an energetic and fun book to read. So when I heard the movie was coming out, I was very happy to see what twists the producers were going to add to bring the book to the big screen.
So I watched the film, and sure enough I was disappointed. They turned a happy, wild children’s book into a sappy, sad, and depressing love drama. The movie is no longer about Max and his adventures but rather about a love triangle among the wild things. Max doesn’t really serve much purpose beyond instigating all the problems.
Not only were the plot changes horrible but also the special effects weren’t as great as I was hoping. I was awaiting the scene where Max’s bedroom turns into the jungle. Instead I was met with the disappointing twist that he runs away from home and then finds a forest! The whole point of the book about the child’s imagination inside his room. So not only were the special effects disappointing but the wild things themselves were lame. Their appearances didn’t match their voices at all. What kind of guy’s name is Carol, anyways?
Although there were some funny moments, overall “Where the Wild Things Are” (rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language) was depressing and disappointing. The magic of imagination was ruined with the motion of these pictures!
--Jesus Gomez is a senior at Mount Miguel High School. His favorite movies include “Donnie Darko,” “Tommy Boy,” and “The Crow.” He wanted be a film critic because he says, “I love being heard and I love watching movies.”
