Where the Wild Things Are - A Perspective of a Generation

The actual book, "Where the Wild Things Are" is just a brief memory of my childhood. I remember mostly the penwork of the illustrations and the neutral, drab colours of monsters that overcome the composition on the pages. When it comes to context, nothing rings a bell. I may even remember the book on an episode of the Reading Rainbow...

This translates to a unique perspective of the movie. I still had the feeling that I was in on something. The feeling you get when you feel your generation was exposed to something that not every other generation was (which is not the case at all). This is the same feeling when I see that a Roald Dahl book is made into a movie, who was my favourite author as a child. This feeling, I think, helps someone connect and immerse themselves into a movie moreso than someone who hasn't heard of it.

The movie, a great movie. I was surprised at the context of the movie! It is the very complex, mature subject of personal relationships and maintaining them. A scenario that everyone can relate to one way or another. Don't get me wrong, even if a child couldn't relate to this so much, the visuals and comic relief is enough to keep them entertained. The characters deal with loss, competition, jealousy and social norms along with happiness, hope and accomplishment. These elements provoke a feeling of depression and is sometimes threatening.

In terms of cinematography, this movie is fantastic. Contemporary approaches are used in terms of the costume and effects while maintaining a vintage-like feeling. Gestures are over the top to translate emotion so that we can relate to them and everything seems very well crafted and well thought out.

This movie does fall short in some areas. There is quite a few scenes and ideas that drag on. A lack of some character development, but it may also add to the subjective viewpoint of the main character, Max.

Overall a great movie, leaves you with mixed emotions.