Where The Wild Things Should Be

Where The Wild Things Are has often been known as a cornerstone to any children’s book collection since its publication in 1963. That mindset is the driving force bringing the book to the big screen. This isn’t the first time that a studio has tried to adapt the story, Disney attempted and failed way back in 1983. Although it has been successfully adapted into an Opera, animation and musical, now it’s time to give it the greatest honor of all, a full length motion picture.

The production originally began in 2000 when Universal attached a teaser onto The Grinch. Difficulties emerged and the project was then snatched up by Warner Brothers. Spike Jonze has been heading the project from the start and at this point is reworking animations of the “monsters” faces and coming up with a proper soundtrack (one that may or may not feature Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

Despite how amazing all of that sounds test audiences found the movie inappropriate for children around Warner’s target age. This, of course, changes everything. Even though an October 16th (2009) release date has been set rumors were going around all last week that the movie might have to go through a complete makeover. That would include kicking Jonze out of his directorial seat and starting all over again. Nothing was said to bring peace to the situation when the release date was announced today.

What did test audiences say that puts the movie at the edge of extinction? Besides that it was too scary for younger children many people disliked Max, the mischievous lad who creates an imaginary world after he’s sent to bed without supper. Are we really supposed to like Max anyway? From what I gather Max isn’t supposed to be an angel by any means. Hating Max might be a bit strong but disliking him could be understandable. If I was going to hate every movie that featured a character like Max my movie collection would only contain the Veggie Tales series.

The biggest reason not to start over is Spike Jonze. To date he has made some of my favorites movies (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) and some great music videos (namely “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys). That obviously isn’t a reason to keep a director onboard. The fundamental problem Warner Bros. has is marketing the movie toward a specific audience. They are subsequently looking for the next big movie along the lines of Shrek instead of a faithful recreation of the story. Assuming that adults won’t be going to see it would also be a mistake. This could easily attract the same audiences that went to see Pan’s Labyrinth, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or any previous Jonze film.

If the project does get scratched altogether I don’t think I could see the remade version. Knowing that possibly a much better film is sitting on a shelf somewhere doesn’t sit well with me. In my opinion, the book wasn’t happy-go-lucky so why should the movie be? The good adaptation is the Jonze adaptation (no pun is intended here).