Where the Wild Things AreMovie Reviews

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Review This Movie

So-so Based on 3,076 reviews
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Must Go!
Written October 17, 2009
Let the Wild Rumpus Start!!

by Daydream

..."Inside all of us is a Wild Thing"...

Where the Wild Things Are, written by Maurice Sendak, was a story I listened to when I was little every night before bed. I still remember begging my parents to just read it one more time. Inspired by the classic children's book, Where the Wild Things Are "hits home" as one from the audience revealed. We get a fantastic image of the imagination and lonliness of 9-year old Max who runs away, sails to an island of beasts, and claims to be a king with great powers to keep them from eating him. Each of the Wild Things has their own personality and most of them share the same emotions just like everyone around us. The costumes are dirty, amazing, and true to the book. Thoughtfully written by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers (Away We Go), this movie is special and worth seeing. If the book means anything to you, this movie will to. Perfect ending. (A)

"Sometimes being happy isnt the best way to be happy"

Sleeping in the perfect pile tonight...
- 16 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 16, 2009
Where my inner child went.....

by

The happy and sad emotions that i felt as a child and pushed away, because of my sad upbringing......I cried and laughed as i felt the feeling that the young Max was feeling. I don't think anyone that wasn't a loner or the middle child will truly understand and have the amazing experience I had at 11:30 this morning! If your a child of a single parent or divorced family you will be touched by this film Spike Jonze did a phenomenal job bringing to life Maurice Sendak's children's book. Go see this but bring a tissue!
- 12 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 18, 2009
IT'S ABOUT THE BOOK, EVERYTHING IS NOT WARM AND FUZZY IN LIFE

by umpfgirl

I first need to say that this movie moved my husband and I to tears. It's about not being heard as a child. Not being recognized or appreciated for your individual personality. Can anyone relate? It was a beautiful story. Just like I remembered as a kid. Being able to escape the dysfunction with your imagination. Who has had the perfect parents? Who ever dreamt of escaping to a far away island with creatures you could control? I did. Often......

Each character represents all of Max's emotions. Don't you get it?

"You're supposed to hug me when I'm mad."

Parents.....grow up.

The world needs you too.....
- 11 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written November 3, 2009
- violent disturbing don't take kids
by lukedayton
- 8 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written November 2, 2009
Wild Thing meets Lord of the Flies

by Robberoo

This was not the movie I was expecting. I loved the book as a child but some how in all the over the top senseless violence the sweetness of the original story got clobbered too! I never connected with spoiled brat Max, Why Carol was trashing the houses was never explained. Why all the undirected anger?

The 'dream sequence" was lost. If a child bit me and ran off into the night I'd call the cops to find him. Yet when Max returns for being with the wild things, there is nothing but a hug and hot soup waiting. It looked like a Campbell's soup commercial without the can! I couldn't suspend my disbelief that much.

On a scale of 10 I'd give it a 2.
- 8 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written November 2, 2009
Worst Movie I've seen in years

by dcrdg16

To say I am dissapointed is an understatement. Bizarre, depressing and no continuity are hallmarks of this movie remake of a popular children's book. I took my 8 year old to see it and after an hour into the movie, she asked if we could go. I noticed before we decided to go another family left. I never write reviews but, in this case, I thought it might be worth taking the time to save unknowing families from suffering the same fate.
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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No
Written October 17, 2009
Able to Put a 9 Year Old to Sleep

by Robby1123

It's true, my 9 year old son fell asleep near the end of the movie. What a complete and utter let down this movie was for my family of four. Having grown up with vivid ideas of this classic children's book, I was sure that the movie would be as classic as the book. It was - a classic disappointment. There is no clear story line. And it feels as if the plot tries to make the story more complex than necessary. The loveable monsters from the book are transformed into some very emotionally disturbed freaks whose behavior is more goulish than their looks. I only hope there is some kind of wild psychologist on their island who can help them deal with the range of issues that surface. Yes, the monsters are supposed to represent all the feelings and confusion Max is going through. As messed up as Jonze (the director) made them, this boy will need many years of very intense therapy that dinner and chocolate cake at the ending just will not resolve.
- 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written October 17, 2009
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

by yolo007

This review by my 9 year old son: The movie should be rated PG13, because it was scary and sad. It was cool when they had the war and when they built the fort. If you want to see this movie, go watch it. It's pretty good. However, it was very sad in some parts.
- 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written November 8, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are

by 4neerdowells

This is NOT a kid's movie!

Let me say that first. Do NOT take your kid to see this movie if you want to preserve their sentimental feelings about the book. It is dark and gloomy. A psychological movie, far too deep for a child's mind to analyze without lots of help from a wise adult. My kids, 9 and 7, said "they tried to ruin the book."

Max is miserable, his family is miserable, the wild things are miserable. And the slight advances any of them make to be happier failed to make US any happier about spending $34 to see this treachery. SPOILER ALERT******one of the wild things actually rips off another wild thing's arm. My kids were shocked. My daughter, who is no wimp, says it still gives her butterflies to think about it.

If you want to feel crummy, this is the movie for you. blahhhhhhhhh!
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 21, 2009
Recreated Masterpiece

by NT_Jonze_Fan

Yeah this isn't going to be cherished by those too young to remember reading the book. You have to have that already and the sense of wonder at a child's imagination. There is a misunderstood passion for the unreal here and it will strike a chord with those who understand having gone through childhood already.

Where the Wild Things Are was my absolute favorite book growing up and this just beings it all back as well as giving life to the characters in the story uniquely and impeccably. I could feel the story happening beyond what the book ever provided! And if nothing else, Carol's somber howl on the beach tore right through my heart and I left the theater wiping my eyes...! Going to buy the movie and reread the book... to experience it all over again!
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 18, 2009
The best film ever.

by Sweetvikings

Where the Wild things are is such a wonderful movie. From its beautiful looks to its heartbreakingly deep story. It's true that not everyone will like this film simply because it doesn't go along with the book, but if you just went along with the book what would there be? Rumpus for an hour and a half then it's over? To do a great adaptation of a book you need to make it yours, you need to put everything you have in it and thats exactly what Spike did. I own "Heads On and We Shoot", which is the book based on how they made the movie and it was honestly so amazing how much heart they put in this film, and it shows that in the movie. Yes, it may a tad bit to much for young cildren but this is a movie not for young kids, but about young kids. This movie is going to be forever in my thoughts and in my heart. Every one is entitled to their own opinion, and mine is that this movie is truly groundbreaking, gorgeous, and full of love.
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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No
Written November 10, 2009
Horrible.

by courtneygurl11

wow. i was not excited to go see this movie, but my sister kept telling me how amazing it was, so I finally went. i haven't read the book, but i hear its only ten pages. the whole movie was dark and depressing
SPOILER::The main wild thing rips anothers arm off,i was in shock..
And they go into tthis war thing and start beating on this child wild thing, i wanted to leave.
Also, i kept waiting for the main concept of this movie to present itself, it never did.
The whole movie is these sad\angry\mean\depressed animals following around a young boy.
i hated this movie, there is nothing to get. everybody who likes it was saying its a deep movie, whats so deep about a ten page book?
well, dont see it.
unless you know everything and understand the deepness of a childrens story. then go ahead, waste your money and time.
uhggg, it left me in a weird sad mood.
- 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 23, 2009
One of the best movies ever

by ted_michon

This movie is not typical, and you need to let it sink in. I have come to realize that this movie is about families, how we all want them to work and be perfect, but they never are. And yet, they grip us, and they have their moments. The imagery is engaging, and the music is great.
- 10 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 20, 2009
Not for everyone, but definitely for me...

by skepticsightsten

I realize that this movie will not please everyone. Some will find it boring, or self-indulgent, or too depressing, etc. etc. BUT I think the main thing is to focus less on who it was made by and who it was made for and focus more on the movie itself. Visually, I can't think of anything in recent years to rival this. As far as plot goes, this movie is not easy. It doesn't give you things, it doesn't sum things up in little cliches; it is difficult and it requires thinking, speculation, and probably more than one viewing. If you want to go to the movie for something light-hearted and simple, don't see this. If you want something challenging and engaging, this is probably your best bet.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written October 23, 2009
Fan of book, movie was okay

by laingram

I loved the book growing up. When the book first came out, there was so much controversy. I think that is the audience that will like the movie. Parents and kids that are not familiar with the book will absolutely hate it. It is probably not a movie to take kids under 5 to, especially if they do not know of the book...will give them too many ideas to break things. My 7 year-old niece would probably like it and understand it. There is a tinge of sadness, but I wouldn't say it was depressing by any means. It is probably worth a matinee price, but not full price.
- 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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