Where the Wild Things Are
July 12th, 2010 | 
Author: Yes they ARE in my home (3 & 5 yrs), but I am referring to the book & movie today.
* Dont think this contains spoilers apart from my opinions, for those who have not seen it*
I recently took the dvd out thinking it will be a nice one for the kids and i to watch together (movie-on-the-wall-night) – I had no clue about the story, had never seen the book and have just picked up on the hype from the internet.
Both my kids were already upset by the first part of the movie, the child’s behaviour is very angry and depressed (i think it is more this than the anger that got to them). Kara lost interest here but Rafe watched on till the Wild things entered the scene and all the anger, monsters, dark scenes and the constant underlying fear of being eaten made him decide he was scared and was not watching any more. I think also the fantastic construction they were building was ominous to him.
I watched a little longer until my husband got home and then was not interested enough to continue watching it alone.
I had come to the conclusion that the book had been written for older children (7-8 years +) and was discussing it with my sister who said (after I described pretty much the above) that the book was not really like that and it was aimed at a younger group. She had done the book when studying teaching and wondered how they had made a movie out of a ‘one line a page story’. Out of curiosity I googled the book and found this sweet you tube clip which i am assuming is the entire book narrated. It looks cute, has none of the overly disturbed personalities depicted in the movie (the book character gives me the impression of a normal child with normal moods and tantrums) and it has very little of the extended story line. I feel rather disappointed in how it was translated – it was definitely done on a much more grown up level and focusses on social concerns that little ones can’t grasp (I think a lot of it even escaped me).
Have you seen the movie? What did you think? Is it worth giving it another try and watching to the end (for me not the kids lol – would not do that to them again till they are older and less worried about monsters in their rooms).
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I have the book and it is one the kids love, will be careful not to show them the movie now. I am keen to see who else has seen it and what they think.
This is something you learn as you go, *always* read the book before you see the film of the same thing. Must admit, I haven’t seen the movie, but love the book and attracted kindred spirits by calling my playgroup Wild Things!
Yup Hazel that should be a given *blush*, did not actually know before renting the dvd it was based on a book. After seeing the youtube clip I think your playgroup name is perfect Ü. Will definitely be looking for the book tomorrow on our library trip and see what the kids think of that version.