Is 'Wild Things' for Adults or Kids?
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Releases, Warner Brothers, Family Films
No, silly, I'm not asking about the steamy modern noir from 1998, but the big-screen adaptation of Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's classic that opens on Friday. Cinematical will have a full review of Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are later this week; my personal reaction is that it's a sweet adventure, suffused with melancholy, displaying a delicate, altogether pleasant and grounded spirit of childish wonder. But is it for kids or adults?
Fears about the film's suitability first surfaced more than a year ago when test screenings reportedly reduced some children to tears. Delays and reshoots ensued, with some fans expressing concern that 'the scary bits' would be excised from the final product. I have no idea what children find scary these days; many young ones were in attendance at the screening I attended last night and I heard nary a whimper or a scream. Some early reviews have suggested that it's "a movie about a child that isn't a children's film," as Brent Simon wrote in his review for Screen Daily. Is that because it's still too scary? No, but because "family audiences may find it too challenging." Jonze himself has acknowledged that it's not "a studio film for kids, or ... a traditional film about kids. We didn't have like a Movie Kid in our movie, or a Movie Performance in a Movie Kid world. We had a real kid and a real world."
Based on what you've heard and seen so far, are you planning to see Where the Wild Things Are? Do you have any concerns that it might be too "adult" for your kids? Or, on the other hand, does it sound too childish for teens or adults?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-13-2009 @ 10:14AM
crashcarstar said...
I'm absolutely going to see this movie. I don't have kids, but I wouldn't expect them to enjoy this movie as much as I will.
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10-13-2009 @ 10:49AM
Felicia said...
It bothers me that in the modern world, people think that difficult real world situations are too tough to tackle in film. If kids have to deal with certain realities on a regular basis, shouldn't they see films that represent their pain? A lot of parents seem to only want to take their kids to happy movies and refuse to acknowledge that a lot of children have to deal with a lot of darkness in their lives. I will definitely see this movie and I'm looking forward to taking my kids to see it.
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10-13-2009 @ 10:54AM
David said...
I cannot wait. And this sounds to me like what I always hope a "family" film is -- an active rather than a passive experience, and something that everyone can relate to and talk about together afterwards.
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10-13-2009 @ 11:53AM
Christina said...
I, most definitely, will be seeing this film. Ever since I saw the wonderful rendering of the monster characters, I was sold on seeing this. I didn't need to know anything else about it. I agree with Felicia above, I don't think people give children enough credit when it comes to being able to handle issues presented to them. Isn't that what parenting is? Guiding kids, teaching them and preparing them to deal with the world? That being said, do I want to sit in a theater to watch this with toddlers? No. Absolutely not.
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10-13-2009 @ 12:10PM
Richard said...
I think the strength of 'Wild Things' lies in nostalgia for childhood. As a kid it had a profound affect on me, but I'm not sure if I truly knew what it was about until I was an adult. It's all speculation anyways, but if it's as challenging for me as the book was, I'm sure I will love it.
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10-13-2009 @ 12:29PM
jessejames said...
itll probably be similar to bridge to terabithia in the matter that it is advertised as a kids film but is rlly probably too mature for younger audiences (even though young kinds will still enjoy it). i think the final version of this will switch the cards around and bring the adults to tears
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10-13-2009 @ 12:47PM
garlick said...
Bridge to Teribithia was too challenging for kids??
Really??
I think you're not giving kids enough credit. The problem with Bridge to Teribithia was not that it was too mature for children, it just wasn't a very interesting rendition of the book.
My girl was a much better adaptation of a good children/young teen book, that tackled adult themes, and was more realistic in its portrayal life.
There are many examples of melancholy literature & movies that were fine when I was growing up. I don't understand why kids now a days have to coddled and told the world is OK.
Where the red fern grows, Old Yeller, Bridge to Terribithia (the book), the fox & the hound, the secret of nihm, the dark crystal. All of these were staples in my childhood, and were all dark or melancholy or depressing in nature.
Although, some might argue I'm pretty crazy......so I guess that isn't a good argument for kids watching that type of stuff.
10-13-2009 @ 1:24PM
jessejames said...
when i say "kids" i dont mean like 10 and 11 year olds, i mean like 6 year olds. and personally i liked the movie better then the book because of how well it brought out the emotion in me. i just dont think a kid fully can understand that movie. they may enjoy it but adults and teens/pre-teens can get alot more out of it.
i dont think kids wont enjoy this because theyre used to being told thw world is OK, but because they dont yet realize how bad the world is, regardless of if theyve been told it is or isnt. I too enjoyed dark movies when i was younger but when i watch them now i get SO much more out of them.
10-13-2009 @ 1:56PM
rhubarb said...
I named my son Max, as an homage to my favorite book as a child - he'll be 5 years old in 45 days and you bet your sweet a$$ that we'll be in line together this weekend.
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10-13-2009 @ 4:49PM
ed3206 said...
I reread Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" after attending a screening of Jonze's film adaptation.
The film version was profoundly disturbing in its depiction of Max's surliness. When Max returns home after his adventure, you don't get the impression he gained a better understanding of his family life.
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10-13-2009 @ 3:27PM
russ said...
Kids, shmids!
I'm 41 and am going to see this movie Friday as soon as I can get to the theater. I've been waiting months for this movie.
Spike Jonze is a true filmmaker, and I know he won't let Sendak's story down.
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10-13-2009 @ 3:50PM
cablebfg said...
I'm seeing it and at 23 (on Friday) I'm happy I don't have kids at this point. But if I did have a kid who would actually sit still to watch this film, I'd definitely take him/her/them.
I don't think the film will be too challenging for kids, but it is the adults that have to be prepared for questions that might arise. Just like with Wall-E.
I can't wait.
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10-13-2009 @ 4:12PM
Wimsey said...
Anyone who thinks this is too scary for kids has forgotten what it is like to BE one.
Kids are ok with scary, with death, with niggling fears, and dark corners. They are NOT ok with nervous parents, dumb rules, or adults who don't take them seriously.
We read the REAL Grimm Bros to our babies - and we read them together. Will I let my kids see WTWTA? Of course, providing that it's as good as it looks. Probably too long for our 4 year old, but our 7.5 year old will eat it up she'll love it so.
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10-13-2009 @ 4:13PM
Jesse said...
Not too challenging for kids vis a vis emotions. The problem lies more in the formal dimension -- this film is obviously made with great love given to atmosphere and photography. A child can deal with the issues of family drama, certainly, but they won't be that interested if it's a film packed with slow pans, epic landscape shots, and calming gray earth-tones. When I was a kid, anything that tried to calm me down was anathema to me... I had way too much going on in my head, too much dormant productivity in my brain, to sit through something designed for "reflection" and emotional patience.
I agree with some previous posters -- this is going to be a movie for adults, formed around fond, golden memories of childhood freedom and anxiety. It's going to be a nostalgic movie, not a movie for kids. If you want a challenging movie for kids, go see Ponyo.
But I'll definitely see it. All those things above that I would have hated as a child... I love them now.
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10-14-2009 @ 12:06AM
jefry said...
i have watched fine trailer with quality pictures of where the wild things are movie. Spike Jonze is my favorite director and he has especial ability to recognized children mind. though this is an adaptation of the same named book which was written by Maurice Sendak, the movie will beyond books quality.
source
http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/in-theaters/where-the-wild-things-are-movie-he-becomes-the-king-of-wildness
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