Adventure - While based on the beloved children's book, the rather downbeat tone
and some dark and intense moments may make this inappropriate for
younger children, not to mention the sometime slow pace may make the
youngest viewers impatient. The adult cast members have very little
screen time as this is largely a show with the boy lead and the
monsters.
PROFANITY: A few miscellaneous profanities. SEX/NUDITY: None. VIOLENCE: A bite; comic fights with dirt clods and rocks. DRUGS/ALCOHOL: Fleeting alcohol. ACTION: Chases and fighting. COMEDY: Cute kid and creature humor.
Berardinelli, Internet CriticFull Review Good The result is an involving experience for all but the most fidgety children and an opportunity for parents to enjoy (rather than endure) a motion picture with their offspring.
Roger EbertFull Review Good ...the film will play better for older audiences remembering a much-loved book from childhood, and not as well with kids who have been trained on slam-bam action animation.
USA TodayFull Review Very Good Where the Wild Things Are is a fiercely innovative film with surprising texture and nuance. It captures the joy and exuberance of childhood without shying away from its very real pains and woes.
Note: The rating
above is our interpretation of what the critic would give this movie based on
their review. We are not affiliated with these critic's in any way.
Be sure to read the
DETAILED OPINIONS
The positive and negative comments made by moviegoers are very
helpful when selecting a movie that's appropriate for you and your family.
OPINION OVERVIEW The following is the original "What's Worth
Watching" write-up for this movie.
Moviegoer Opinions:
Based on a theater exit polling of 97 moviegoers:
CHILDREN:These look like good reviews and they would be if they were from any other group, but children usually rate the movie they have just seen either "Excellent" or "Fantastic." It's a bit unusual to see reviews of "Good" and lower. Read the Movie Type information and you will discover that this is not your typical children's movie.
TEENS:The females loved this movie. The males reviews are half great and half average to below average.
TWENTYSOMETHINGS:Almost all the males in this group enjoyed "Where the Wild Things Are," very much. The female reviews are just slightly lower.
ADULTS:The male reviews are very mixed. Close to half truly enjoyed it but the remaining half were disappointed. The female reviews are slightly better but also very mixed. Just over half enjoyed it but many rated it below average.
Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy feels
misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island
where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and
unpredictable as their actions.
The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for
a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where
everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy
and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought.
