http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/

When I first heard about this film the idea of it confused me. I love the original book, but it is very short and there isn't much story there. How the hell would a film work? The answer is Amazingly well. First of all the wild things look fantastic, I don't know if they were puppets or CGI or something but they are all very detailed. I never got tired of watching them. This film reminds me of the neverending story in a way mixed with something Terry Gilliam would make. Actually now that I think about it Gilliam would have been a great choice to make this film. Many people complain that this film has no story, and well they are kinda right. Max is a boy who feels alienated and unloved, so he runs away and in his mind he goes to an island where the wild things live. The wild things are all voiced by fantastic actors, some of which I didn't recognize the voices of. James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Forest Whittaker, Chris Cooper, and the amazing Catherine O'Hara who pops up every now and then in random films like this. They all sound great, but Gandolfini really blew me away. I had no idea that was his voice until the end. I recognized everyone else though, especially Forest Whittaker who has a very soothing yet badass voice. I really fell in love with this film, everything about it worked perfectly for me. Some parents have complained that it is too scary for kids, and while it does have moments that are quite freaky I think kids would love this. Parents really underestimate their kids. The only problem I had with this film, and this is a very slight one, is the music. I am a big fan of Carter Burwell, but Karen O's part was not as impressive. It had a nice whimsical childlike feel to it that fit the film, but the cheery pop sound that was thrown in seemed a bit forced at times.

I think a better choice for a songwriter to compose a few good songs would be someone like Peter Gabriel, Stuart Murdoch or Damon Albarn whose music has a darker tone that mixes with their pop songs much better than karen O. She was good but the music could have been better without her. Heck maybe even Nick Cave if you feel like hearing songs that will haunt children's dreams for a while. This film reminds me of one of my favorite films of the decade, The Fall. That film had a very slight story as well but in a very different way. In this film the wild thing represent Max, who is played by the wonderfully charming Max Records. They all have elements of him in them, whether it is Carol's destructive nature, or Alexander thinking nobody listens to him. They all clash and fight in various ways, which represent how Max feels about his family. How his sister doesn't seem to notice him and how his mother doesn't seem to listen to him when her new boyfriend is around. The wild things are essentially everybody. They are the emotions we choose to hide, and how we can't never really deal with them or hide them. In the end you can't be the king and control everything forever, as Max learns. Eventually you must accept yourself for who you are and learn to love the life you have and the people around you. The ending of this film made me smile and want to give my mom a hug. I think you will either love this film or hate, I personally loved every second of it. The only vague complaint I have is that the opening scene was dragged on a bit long. I know it was meant to establish Max but it could have been done better. I still recommned it, and also I think Bob and Terry are amazing characters despite how random they were.

Overall I give it a 9.5 out of 10.