Wild Things

A beautiful film that's as simple and alluring as the 1963 children's book. CGI is shunned to the point where it's difficult to tell where in-camera FX begin and end. The narrative is buoyed by a terrific score that stands on it's own. The boy is perfectly cast but it's the Wild Things themselves who steal the movie with funny banter and complex personalities. The tone is inspiring and melancholy in equal doses making this the fantastic children's adaptation we hoped for.

The film does not pander and addresses real conflicts head on -- those bitter, jealous kinds of wounds that exist in most families. Congrats to Spike Jonze who fought the studio for years against making a dumbed down Cat in the Hat-like adaptation.

It's hard to say what younger children will think of this movie, but my first inclination is to encourage parents to not underestimate their kids. I can't imagine anyone who loves the book (big or small) not finding something emotionally satisfying and meaningful in this movie. Something that is often lacking in children's programming.