CREATIVE QUOTIENT
In his 1963 children’s picture book Where The Wild Things Are, author Maurice Sendak illustrated the restlessness of childhood through a young boy’s imaginary trip to a land where he could reign as king. It has since become a reading rite of passage, a work of understated genius that expertly captures those long-lamented growing pains. Now director Spike Jonze has undertaken the arduous task of translating this much-read work to the big screen – and the results are amazing, as scary and as beautiful as being a child all over again.

Max, the young protagonist, feels like an outcast. Unable to interest his teenage sister in his homemade igloo, he responds with anger. Later, when his mother is more attentive to her boyfriend than him, Max goes ballistic. Biting her, he takes off into the night. Soon, he’s all alone and on a boat headed out to sea, finally landing on an island populated by “Wild Things,” menacing-looking creatures with problems.

There is the meek Alexander, the wary Judith, her calm mate Ira, the quiet Bull, the whip-smart Douglas and the angry but approachable Carol. Instantly named ruler of all he surveys, Max is given a simple request - get rogue Wild Thing KW to come back to the pack and make everyone happy again.

Max soon learns that his newfound family is just as complicated and “out of control” as the one he left back home. Much like their new leader, the Wild Things are a curious and confused bunch; they follow Max’s mandates without being totally sure of the consequences. As such, they become our source of insight in the film. Carol’s anger management issues parallel the problems within Max, while KW’s desire to break free and find new friends and adventures effectively encapsulates the process of growing up.

The decision to use a combination of live actors in suits and technologically-tweaked facial expressions serves the movie well. It reflects how young children experience the world around them.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Where The Wild Things Are stands as one of 2009’s finestand emotionally solid narrative, with an insight into a confused nine-year-old’s perspective. It’s also a testament to Spike Jonze’s talent as writer and director for bringing out the endearing qualities of Maurice Sendak’s work.

Of course, it’s dark , things get scary and complex. There are no easy answers in Where The Wild Things Are. Instead, Jonze suggests that honesty and love go a long way toward conquering fear.

Where The Wild Things Are reflects considerable technical achievement, combining as they do muppetry and CGI. The voice actors and the FX artistes give their fantastical characters personality and human depth. In close-up, they seem like human actors inside costumes.