WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE will finally hit theaters this weekend. Based on the beloved children's book by Mr. Sendak, the film will be opening in theaters tomorrow to an as-of-yet unclear target audience. The movie's PG rating has parents wondering if they'll be swindled out of $10 when they have to walk out of the theater with their 7 year old child scared out of his or her mind by the heavily furred and clawed monsters taking over the screen.
On the other hand, the Urban Outfitters crowd will be lining up early, clad in their $25 'Urban' T-shirts with Max's crown stamped on the front, to watch a long anticipated escape into a world of fantasy they've waited for seemingly for ever.
But, why has this film captivated the teenage set?
The book is a tender lesson about dealing with emotions many teens live through today; bullying, being picked on or altogether ignored, be it by parents, siblings or peers. Max, the book's protagonist, runs away from home in search of a better family who will appreciate him. Instead, an innocent ride on a boat takes him to a land inhabited by untamed creatures, "the Wild Things". Max pretends to have special powers to protect himself from them and becomes King of the
The range of emotion-fueled fantasy Max finds himself in is a state in which teens spend quite a bit of time as well; whishing to simply vanish and reappear in a perfectly balanced family where love, understanding and friendship overcome anger, bitterness and rebellion - a peaceful state without pressures and expectations. Teens can relate more to Max's dilemma than smaller kids will.
If you have kids younger than 8, you might proceed to this movie with a bit of caution.
This weekend tweens and teens might be the benefactors of Spike Jones' vision and style for this children’s' book. And if we're clever, parents can benefit from a little break from that closed bedroom door letting us know not to walk into our teen’s fantasy world just behind it.
