Weekly Review -- Whimsy 1, World 0

Where the Wild Things Are (2009) -- Making a film that children and adults would find equally enjoyable can be a tricky task; adapting a popular children's novel and successfully transposing its themes onto another medium is another kind of riddle altogether, and it is one that Spike Jonze manages to solve in his latest offering. Little Max (Max Records) is a force of nature, mostly inhabiting his own world from day to day, going off on escapades and often worrying his otherwise overwhelmed mother (Catherine Keener). After an argument with her, he runs out and tumbles into a realm populated by feral creatures, who make him their king. However, no land is immune to strife and soon Max finds himself missing home... Almost imperceptibly, the film weaves layer upon layer of thematic elements as its narrative unfolds. Themes of one's family, nest, friendship and belonging are explored through the subtle and strong relationships that Max creates, but also those that he leaves behind. Records is a delight as Max, his eagerness and curiosity paving the way for Max's universe to open up even further. The creatures' voices, provided by such actors as Forest Whitaker and Catherine O'Hara, reverberate from another corner of the universe, contributing in unison to the sense of makeshift family and bringing life to Max's new habitat. The impressive costume and set design -- by Casey Storm and Simon McCutcheon, respectively -- comes straight out of childhood days, from a simple time of creating one's own kingdom out of sticks and stones. The film is a complex piece of work, reaching for the adult's comprehension and instinct by way of examining a child's playfulness, never patronizing its protagonist or vilifying the characters of grown-ups who have merely lost touch with the wild thing within. Where the Wild Things Are takes a stand for individuality and imagination with every sequence. It lets us know clearly that, no matter who we are or where we go or what we accomplish in life, there is always an inner Max or Judith or Ira waiting to come out and play.

10/10