Where The Wild Things Are: DVD Review
Where The Wild Things Are
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
Bursting onto the small screen is the adaptation of the
perennially popular book Where The Wild Things Are.
Max is your typical kid - rambunctious, lacking in boundaries and
discipline and blessed with a fiercely imaginative mind.
He spends his time building igloos in the snow and wandering around
in a wolf costume.
One day after a fight and heated argument with his mum, he runs
off, gets in a boat and heads to an island. That island is Where
The Wild Things live - and under the cover of darkness, he meets
Carol (James Gandolfini) and the rest of the gang - a group of 10
foot tall hairy creatures wreaking havoc for no reason.
Granted, there's not much story to build on from the book but what
the ever creative director Spike Jonze has dreamt up is stunning in
places - and his decision to turn the Wild Things into toweringly
tall animatronic full suits (with creatures made by Jim Henson's
Creature Shop) is nothing short of cinematic genius.
Shot with a handheld camera, the film is full of beautiful visuals
- as well as nightmarish visions and will amaze you from the very
moment the Wild Things appear on the screen. They look like cuddly
puppets in places - but Carol's temperamental behaviour and
tantrums which rock Max's world are brilliantly brought to life by
the vocal work of James Gandolfini of Sopranos fame. In fact, it's
possible to say Gandolfini's Carol is a creature version of his
Tony Soprano - charming and charismatic but with the capability of
turning at just the bat of an eyelid.
Where The Wild Things Are is a charming and sweet piece which will
win you over.
Rating: 7/10
