On CLIPS In November, 2009
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

An angry young boy runs away from home to a world of imaginary creatures in this movie version of the classic book.

TRIVIA: A cartoon short based on this book was released in what year?

Angry with his mother (Catherine Keener) and the world, young Max (Max Records) escapes to an imaginary land of wild creatures where a boy can misbehave. But constant fun has its drawbacks. “Where The Wild Things Are” is strictly for those who adore the children’s picture book. Director Spike Jonze (“Adaptation”) has expanded the short story into a 101 min. movie with the help and blessing of author Maurice Sendak. Every scene is stretched to infinity. The creature costumes created by the Jim Henson Company are awesome. A marvelous voice cast including James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Dano, Forest Whitaker and Chris Cooper bring these wild things to life. Karen Orzolek, lead singer of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, provides some delightful original songs. None of these ingredients are enough to hold interest to the end. The target audience appeared bored throughout the screening. Even with its extended length, Catherine Keener gets very little screen time and Mark Ruffalo, as her boyfriend, gets even less. “Where The Wild Things Are” is not where I want to be.