Where The Wild Things Are [DVD] [2009]

Really enjoyed this film, it covered a lot more than the book and produced a provocative and full narrative that added to the original story in an interesting and seamless way. My five year old found it stimulating and has watched it a few times already and I am sure it will be a film she will watch more later on and get more from as she gets older.

This film is a beautiful metaphor for the turbulent emotions experienced in Autistic meltdown, I loved the process Max goes through of releasing the tension of his frustration and hurt and then is able to let go and sail away back into the external reality. The creature costumes are wonderful and I felt great affection for each creature. I love this movie.

Amazing lovely film

For lovers of the book the film is disappointing. I would say that it is unlikely to be enjoyed by young children who know the story well!! However I recently loaned it to a Year 4 teacher to show to her class who were studying fantasy texts in Literacy - I would say that is about the right level. So, a totally different and slightly older audience than the book audience may enjoy it in its own right.

A great coming of age story, based on the book by Maurice Sendak, expressing a greater complexity and wider appeal than the book perhaps allowed or intended (that is not to discredit the wonderful book though). The film follows and closely reflects the emotional contemplations of a young boy, essentially portraying that transitional period of child maturity, imbuing a sense of joyful nostalgia and perhaps even melancholy in the adults and wonder, excitement and emotional complexity for the children.Despite the author being involved as a producer and having favourable opinions of the final result, there are some complaints concerning the apparent injustice toward the source text. However, the sentiments imbued in the film bear much semblance to those established in the book, it was therefore a great pleasure to see this vibrant world come to life in such a captivating manner. The cross-over of special effects works perfectly, the CGI facial expressions necessarily convey the emotional depths of the wild things - essential to the narrative of self discovery - which are lent great physical presence by their costumes (provided by the Jim Henson workshop). Superb production on this front enabled the story to tell itself through expressions and animation, rather than dialogue alone.The film follows a steady and involving path from reality to fantasy and back again, exploring the emotions of Max by transposing them in the Wild Things themselves, and as Max begins to discover there is more to the world than himself, his imagination offers an outlet through which his journey of self discovery unfolds. While this may sound off-putting to some, such subtleties aren't integral to the enjoyment of the film but will certainly enhance it, perhaps finding greater appreciation from an older audience, while a younger audience may remain captivated by the visuals, humour and slapstick, as well as the cuddly characters themselves. That said, children are often more perceptive than we give them credit for, and because the film expresses the thoughts and feelings of a child in a realistic, yet imaginative way (through the very eyes of that child), it does not mean it should be disregarded because it is too complex for their understanding. The Labyrinth for example, addresses what it is to have responsibility as a child and that actions often have consequences beyond our own concerns, while the fables of The Brothers Grimm are riddled with horrors, monsters and fantasies of all kinds, expressing clear morals as well stark ambiguities, treating children with the level of maturity and respect they deserve and often crave.Arguably, there is a concern that the books typically target a younger audience than perhaps the film caters for. Though the film successfully explores that turbulent age of reasoning, adjustment and appreciation of other beings in the world, it is also targeting that borderline in cognisance and may limit it's appeal to those of a certain age or maturity, which is perhaps why it has been given a PG certificate. Nevertheless, the elements from which this film is comprised, are so perfectly geared toward that stage in a child's development that it would be a shame to ignore it. Though not without its flaws, this is a great film, suffering mostly the injustice of peoples squandered expectations than as a result of its own pitfalls.It's upsetting to see a wonderful film on the sharp end of such unsubstantiated abuse, but if nothing else, I hope you see the film from start to end, ignore all the reviews, and simply come to your own conclusions.

i literally love this film and i’ve watched it about ten times

A brilliant and beautiful film from a brilliant and beautiful book. I wish I was Max.

i watched this film one night and then ordered 4 copies straight after as it was so good!! they turned up on time and packaged well. no complaints from me,

All Good!