Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are
Minsoo Ha

We all dream of running away from our homes at least once in our childhood. We hide in closets, under the staircases, behind the doors. However, Max, the protagonist of the movie, takes running away from home into a whole new level: he runs into the place Where The Wild Things Are.
The book version of Where the Wild Things Are is a very short children’s book consisting of less than 50 pages, but Spike Jones made it into a full length feature film full of emotions and childhood memories. The tone of the movie sets a stark contrast with the book in many ways including the difference in length. The dark and serious tone of the movie and the quite hostile (and frankly terrifying) behaviors of the Wild Things clearly set it apart from other Children’s movies such as works of Pixar or Disney.
The irony is, the reason which makes Where the Wild Things Are more than just any other children's movies is the uncensored representation of young children's innocence, naivity, and untamed wildness. Instead of showing stars or comical bruises on the wounds, Spike Jones chose to show a completely unfiltered version through destructively large and violent Wild Things. They are the complete opposite from the helplessness or insignificance children feel, and the embodiment of their desire.
However, the emotional voulnerability is still there. The gaping hole desiring love and affection still grasps the hearts of the wild things as well as Max who ran away from his home.
So in the end, we see Max rowing through the seas to return home, wishing the Wild Things had a mother of their own as well.