Where The Wild Things Are

     I recently watched the movie version of Where the Wild Things Are, and I have to say that I did not like it very much. But in terms of how the film was adapted, it was a successful.
     The reason why I didn't like the film was because the film is definitely a downer compared to the book. There are some fun elements but for the most part, there's this depressing and dark feel throughout the whole movie. Also, the film is boring for the most part. Nothing really captured and kept my attention in the movie. As for the character, Max, he was well played but came across more as dysfunctional then a little kid who's just being a little kid. You can see this when, instead of being sent to his room with no dinner in the original story, Max runs away from home after the fight with his mom. The constant over reactions and pouting made the movie annoying. Some parts of the movie were just plain weird, like the mud ball fight and the characters Bob and Terry, which is another reason why I personally don't like the movie.

     Looking at how the book was adapted into the film, not only did Spike Jonze successfully create a longer story for Where the Wild Things Are but he also managed to add a more complex plot to the overall story. He effectively included more details and added a deeper meaning while staying true to the original story line.
The movie also includes a lot of symbolism which really enhances the story. Max's travel to the island of where the Wild Things live help him realize the mistakes he's been making (his angry outbursts have been hurting his family). The Wild Things represent his family: KW as Max's mother, Bob and Terry as Max's mom's boyfriend, and Carol as Max's wild side. The other not-as-important Wild Things represent other characteristics of Max and the other people in his life (like his sister). KW cares about Carol but is distant from him because of Bob and Terry. Carol believes that KW doesn't play enough with him and the other Wild Things and also doesn't understand Bob and Terry. This is similar to what happened in Max's life before he went to the Wild Things' island. Max's journey taught him a lesson and he was able to see how his wild side, (Shown through Carol) effected the aspects of his life.
     The film was successful in making the characters look similar to the drawings of the characters in the children's book. Although the book doesn't really characterize the "Wild Things" in any way, the film brilliantly made each "Wild Thing" one of a kind. The film was also able to interpret Max's fight with his mom very well.
     Overall, the film successfully turned a regular children's story into a movie with a deep meaning, but I personally don't like the film because it didn't capture my attention.