Like many others, I was highly anticipating the release of Spike Jonze's take on the classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are. I had been intrigued by its visual design from the beginning, to the point that I think it was mostly the unique look of all the trailers and posters that got me interested in seeing the film in the first place. As a designer, I was also incredibly excited (perhaps to a nerdy degree) by the fact that a blog was created to track the many forms of inspiration, encompassing various media, that influenced the making of the film. Going through it really heightened my expectations for the film’s release, because it gave a unique behind-the-scenes perspective of the planning process and how research images, music, and design became a part of the visual communication that the filmmakers used to achieve such a unified aesthetic among all the departments.Therefore, not surprisingly, I loved the film aesthetically. It had such a distinct visual tone, with its gray, neutral, muted colors that perfectly reflected the mood of the story. I like the fact that the aesthetic choices reflected that it was about creatures who were upset, angry, confused, hurt, lonely, underappreciated, etc., despite the fact that it was a children’s story which typically use bright, saturated colors, regardless of content. I also appreciated the creativity in the set design, particularly that of the large, Death Star-esque fort and the wild things’ individual huts. It was so imaginative that it completely reinforced the idea of being in the other kingdom that was distinct from the real world that had been left behind. While the topography of the land was still somewhat familiar, the details were a reminder that this was not just any forest, any lake, or any desert.
However, despite its sophisticated visual style, I felt like the film’s story was somewhat underdeveloped and left me less than satisfied. While I liked it as a children’s book, I think it could have been better adapted for the screen in order to fill the feature-length running time. I think it could have been a great thirty-minute movie, but there just wasn’t enough to the story to keep me engaged for over an hour. I really wanted to like it, but I found myself constantly fighting boredom.
Perhaps this is a result of the fact that the film seemed to be a little confused about who its audience was intended to be. While it was a children’s story, I feel like the film was made more for adults, particularly based on its visual style, music selection, and overall mood. On the other hand, a lot of the dialogue seemed crafted more for five year olds, which got a bit exhausting to hear as an adult because it was all so juvenile. I realize that there is a subtext to all the simplicity and that all of the wild things’ struggles are universally relatable, but I think there was a lot of missed opportunity to add more subtext or depth so that the story would be more entertaining to an older audience as well. After loving the story so much growing up, maybe I had just expected it to have grown up a bit with me…
Molly, I totally agree with you! While I felt that Where the Wild Things Are was visually breathtaking and profound in its simplicity, I too was fighting boredom at times; it would’ve been a perfect 30 minute movie. The movie trailer looked so incredibly promising (Arcade Fire’s acoustic version of “Wake Up”!?), and on top of that, reading “Music by Karen O” made me hyperventilate. Karen O has a wonderful ability to channel childlike qualities—whimsy, loneliness, energetic fits— in her music. I wasn’t bitterly disappointed with the film; it sort of touched my soul (the closing scene made me bawl, actually).
ReplyDeleteI think you’d appreciate this quote from NPR, All Things Considered: “Spike Jonze: Check. Dave Eggers: Check. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Check. Where the Wild Things Are has all the ingredients to become the hipster equivalent of Star Wars.”
Have you seen the forts that fans made before the movie release?!
I was sooo excited for this movie to come out (and am still very excited to see it... haven't had time to go see it though) and it seems that everyone feels the same way you do about the film. I am a huge fan of Spike Jones, maybe just because I feel like I relate to him. He got his start in music video directing and editing and that video he did for Fatboy Slim where the adult group does a synchronized dance is hilarious, really random, and I find it to be brilliant. He also did Beastie Boys music vidoes and edited skateboarding videos. I guess since I am interested in music video editing I have always felt a connection to Jones. Therefore when I found out that he was directing this film I was so excited to see what he would do. Visually everyone seems to agree that the film is amazing and the previews I have seen make me basically drool. I must admit, I could not imagine how the book could be adapted into a feature film. Based on your blog entry comment on the fact that the film seems like it is geared for adults, but has childish dialogue, it sounds like Pixar could have handled this film better because they are masters of story and always do great visual design using their Renderman technique. I guess I will just have to see the film for myself but it sounds like I will have similar oppinons as you. Despite the lack of story, I am still relly excited to see it in theaters! I'm just as big of a nerd!
ReplyDeleteI always feel like when I know too much or get excited/look forward to something too much—it is never what I expect. My mom actually calls me out on it, because whenever she asks what I thought of something, be it a party, boy, book, meal at a restaurant…etc. it is NEVER what I expect. I don’t know what I expect, but it’s never what I get.
ReplyDeleteAnyways~
I ENTIRELY agree with you that I was left less than satisfied with the film. I went on a night when my friend and I were feeling really lonely, and it was a movie about lonely people; it was so ironic and depressing. Even the movie was lonely: slow, not much going on, quiet, awkward and just sad.
I also really like your insight on how even though it’s a children’s book, the movie was made for adults…with overly simplistic dialogue, very childish. I feel bad for all the kids that were so excited to see it and had to sit through that intense microorganism of conflict. Definitely probably not something they were expecting either!
I don’t think you were wanting it to go up with you, but be more how you and I remember it: a happy, fun, adventuresome, rebellious story from our childhood.