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Where the Wild Things Are
2009 101 min United States of America, Germany PG 0+
★6.9
Fantasy, Drama, Adventure, Family
Director: Spike Jonze
🎭 Based on
«Where the Wild Things Are»
byMaurice Sendak
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Description
Max imagines running away from his mom and sailing to a far-off land where large talking beasts—Ira, Carol, Douglas, the Bull, Judith and Alexander—crown him as their king, play rumpus, build forts and discover secret hideaways.
Budget:
$100M
US Gross:
$77.23M
Worldwide:
$100.14M
Starring
Max Records
Actor
Catherine O'Hara
Actor
Forest Whitaker
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 2010
— Best Original Score
Saturn Awards 2010
— Best Young Performer
Saturn Awards 2010
— Best Actress
Saturn Awards 2010
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 2010
— Best Fantasy Film
Key opinion
Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s book is widely praised as a poignant, visually stunning exploration of childhood melancholy and emotional complexity. While many find it a profound, mature take on the fantasy genre, opinions are divided on its suitability for children due to its dark themes and occasional intensity.
| Production | The film effectively uses a mix of live-action, costumes, and CGI to create physically tangible and endearing monster characters. | |
| Theme | The narrative treats childhood as a serious, complex drama rather than a simple fairy tale, successfully capturing the nuance of a child's internal emotional landscape. | |
| Cinematography | The film's visual tone and atmosphere are highly evocative, successfully mirroring the feeling of childhood nostalgia. | |
| Screenplay | The film features minimal dialogue and an understated script that favors symbolic, contemplative storytelling over traditional narrative structure. | |
| Accessibility | The film’s tone is a point of contention: some viewers find it a touching, adult-oriented masterpiece, while others feel its dark, violent, and heavy moments make it inappropriate or confusing for younger audiences. |