Is the movie ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ too scary for kids?
Spike Jonze’s movie adaption of the classic book “Where the Wild Things Are” was No. 1 at the Box Office this weekend and brought in $32.5 million.
We have the book, and I have actually talked with Maurice Sendak once for a story. He was lovely, but I was never a huge fan of the book. I’m just not that into the movie, and I think it would be scary for many kids.
Here’s a story from Entertainment Weekly on the issue.
From the Seattle University Spectator:
“In a recent Newsweek interview, Maurice Sendak was asked what he would say to concerned parents who feel the new film adapted from his children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” may be too scary for children.”
“ ‘I would tell them to go to hell. That’s a question I will not tolerate,” Sendak said. “If they can’t handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it’s not a question that can be answered. …‘ ”
“The film is scary. Really. Freaking. Scary. For those who aren’t familiar with the story, it follows the adventure of a young boy who runs away from home after a particularly terrible tantrum and finds himself (after a very long boat ride) in a land full of giant monsters who enjoy being just as terrible as him.”
So I guess my instincts are right from the trailer, however The New York Post is reporting that it’s Gen Xers and Gen Ys that are filling the audience.
Did you see the movie? Did you take your kids? Was it too scary? Was it entertaining? How old is the right age to take to see the film? Is this really a movie for adults?
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78 comments Add your comment
Chris
October 19th, 2009
3:41 pm
I liked it. It’s an artsy – fartsy adaptation and will probably at least be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adaptation. It’s a book/film with a theme and a message – if you expected it to be a fun kid’s film you didn’t read the reviews. It’s not made to be a film for kids. It’s made to be a film about childhood – and not everybody’s childhood. It’s about the childhood of those kids who feel lonely, sad, and left out. Not the popular/happy kids. This doesn’t make it a bad movie – it makes a movie that didn’t meet your expectations.
Target audience is the Gen X & Yers, despite the books age. The characters (namely the monsters) were developed to mimic the attitudes & struggles that that demographic has – think like RENT.
Finally, if you left before the movie was over – don’t offer anyone your opinion on the film because your opinion is for naught. I’ve read several people on here saying that they left and some people very quickly. So you didn’t get any resolution – of course you hated it. That’d be like saying the New Testament is depressing – that guy dies! So you quit reading because it was depressing when the main character died.
HW
October 19th, 2009
3:41 pm
I took my 8 yr old son yesterday to it, in IMAX no less, and he enjoyed it with no issues or ill effects. The humanization of the voices and whimsical nature of the characters help gentle ease viewers into the wild things’ world. When things turn darker later in the movie, there are about 2-3 uncomfortable minutes, but nothing more than they’d encounter in some Disney movies like “Fantasia” or “Little Mermaid”.
I’d cut it off at 5 or 6, IMO, but above that (especially for little boys with big imaginations), I’d say take em. PG is about right for the rating.
Sug
October 19th, 2009
3:46 pm
Zee we take them because they rule the roost. We do whatever our kids want us to do.
Thank you for the wonderful parenting advice. I’m gonna guess you have 0 children…….
JATL
October 19th, 2009
3:53 pm
To zee and all the others who just can’t believe any of us would take a small child to see a PG movie -here is a list of other PG movies (why, I don’t know) that I guess you think we should be flogged for taking our small children to see. My kid LOVED both Madagascar movies at age 2, but I guess I should have shielded him from them and blindly followed the MPAA’s advice. The MPAA, by the way, is a bunch of political-minded, helicopterish fools for the most part who want to make all movies rated “R” if someone smokes in them! These are also the same smarties who will allow a PG-13 if only one F bomb is dropped, but if two or more are uttered then it’s an automatic “R”. It’s ok though if that same PG-13 movie has lots of violence or sexual material in it.
PG movies:
Madagascar and Madagascar 2
Kung Fu Panda
The Ice Age movies -3 now
Happy Feet
Bolt
The Incredibles
And there are more -these are just some more recent ones. Clearly all of us with small children should be roundly chastised for taking our kiddies to such flagrant adult fare! I can’t imagine WHY I would have imagined WTWTA would somehow be a child’s movie since it’s a PRESCHOOLER’S book!
Sue
October 19th, 2009
3:57 pm
When I was about 3, my mother took me to see Gremlins. Don’t know what she was thinking. When my husband was about 5, his mother took him to see Poltergeist. His mother’s reasoning was that E.T. looked too scary. Anyway, I read Where The Wild Things Are as a kid and the movie can’t be as bad as the other 2 mentioned!
NativeAtlantan
October 19th, 2009
4:06 pm
This certainly answers our questions. Sounds like my wife and I (both 30) would enjoy it, but definitely not our 3yr old.
It’s s shame they don’t make G rated movies anymore. Growing up in the 80s there were plenty of them each year. Now? Any?
hp
October 19th, 2009
4:07 pm
It is not scary. My 10 year old and I went to see it and neither of us were scared at all. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. See it or don’t, but don’t blame it on fear. It’s more sad than scary anyway.
BCC
October 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
I took my five year old son to see this. I found it to be a simple movie and he enjoyed it as well. For all of the comments that claims it was scary, PLEASE! There are parts in the Harry Potter movies that is more suspenseful and scarier. The themes in this movie can be related to real life problems that we all face and I guess for some people, that is too scary.
Kim
October 19th, 2009
4:23 pm
PG rating, followed by: “I made the mistake of assuming it was for small children.” You parents, SIGH.
JATL
October 19th, 2009
4:25 pm
*KIM* -please read my above post -oh and one my 3 1/2 year old LOVED and is asking Santa for for Christmas: *UP -rated PG*
I so agree that it’s NOT scary! Like I said in my original post -my child said afterward it was “scary for him”, but he didn’t act like it during the movie -he was just bored. Today, he doesn’t think it’s scary. It’s not. It is boring.
FCM
October 19th, 2009
5:21 pm
We were discussing Diary of a Wimpy Kid last week. It has been made into a movie and will be released April 2, 2010.
Beezus and Ramona will be in theatres March 19, 2010.
Books often make good kid film fodder.
Tom
October 19th, 2009
6:15 pm
Looking forward to going to see the film. Loved the book as a kid.
Not deterred by any Sendak quote. Think it’s too scary for your kids? Don’t take them. Think horribly about the author because he said what he did? Don’t go see it. It’s quite simple.
This is blown out of proportion.
Vork
October 19th, 2009
9:23 pm
@lakerat
Your comment at 1:30pm was spot on….For The Win!!!
motherjanegoose
October 19th, 2009
11:33 pm
FYI…I am betting that the Lakerat post is not the real Lakerat…hmmm
Lakerat may not agree with me most of the time but she is gracious enough not to spew hateful comments.
Unfortunately, I have met children’s authors ( in person) who are IMHO not very pleasant people. I do not know what is up with that.
I always try to be polite to those who are interested in my published materials.
No one is forcing anyone to read my diatribes…I had a great day in Alaska and NO ONE was forced to attend my three workshops ( today) that were packed full with those who do appreciate someone who has authentic ideas. Once again I will focus on those who are paying me….night all!
Maureen
October 20th, 2009
2:02 am
As a child I adored the grimm brothers tales but when I looked back as an adult I was mildly shocked at how grim they really were. My point is…a child see things quite differently than an adult. I think kids will love ‘Where The Wild Things Are’.
Maureen Hume. http://www.thepizzagang.com
Vork
October 20th, 2009
7:20 am
Why is it that when somone is just being brutally honest about someone else the person being spoken about always thinks it is hateful?
I see it as constructive criticism. Get over it motherjanegoose.
Becky
October 20th, 2009
8:15 am
Vork, sadly that happens on here quiet a bit..SOmetimes, I don’t know if the people are being really hateful or if they just don’t express themselves correctly..I include myself in that last line..
motherjanegoose
October 20th, 2009
9:13 am
Getting ready to make the trek back to Atlanta….it’s 5:15 a.m.
IMHO when blog imposters or those who ALWAYS rant on other posters spew hateful comments, those folks are not sharing constructive criticism.
Those who continue to complain about Theresa, like you Vork, may find that you are simply on the wrong blog.
When those who know me personally, as my new clients here, share comments…I choose which comments are valid. Even criticisms are accepted if they are purposeful.
Off to the aiport….
Vork
October 20th, 2009
10:05 am
No offense motherjanegoose but I think that in my short amount of time on this blog I have made considerably more contributions to it, in FAR fewer words, than you have in the lengthy amount of time you have been here. I’m just saying.
mrph.kev
October 20th, 2009
12:53 pm
First – thoughtful parents need to hear others’ opinions of movies, books, etc., before they expose their own children because ratings conform to strict guidelines and are not the final say. There are plenty of PG movies that are appropriate for younger audiences, a call made by parents on an case by case basis. So enough with the “ratings as final say” bunk.
Next, Maurice Sendak is a children’s book author? I so admired his work until I heard his comments posted here. Does he have children? Has he told his 6 year old to “go wet your pants” or “go to hell” if they were scared as he’s advised the would be viewing public to do? I’m used to separating the art from the artist since so many are less than personable. But a children’s book author telling the children off… c’mon! I’ll stick with my interpretation of the book and spare my kids Sendak’s belligerence.
BTW Coraline – excellent film for my (then) 5 and 8 year olds. Scary, fantastic, engaging… a piece of fine film making. Oh yeah, and good story.
T. Rolle
October 20th, 2009
1:33 pm
This is a great film to go see while on mushrooms (or another psychedelic of your choice.) I took my son and niece (5 and 6 years old respectively) and we all had a great time. I ate a few caps before taking them to the theater and was in full trip about 15 minutes into the movie. I felt like I actually went to where the Wild Things were! Then, by the time I was coming down I realized we were halfway through a different movie! I think it was Paranormal Activity. The kids were crying at this point and others around us were getting upset so we high tailed it outta there without ever having to pay for the 2nd movie (haha suckers!) What an experience, would recommend to anyone with a good imagination!
LovedWildThings
October 20th, 2009
1:57 pm
This book has been a classic since 1963. My grandparents read it to my parents, my parents read it to me, and I will read it to my children. I completely disagree with Austin’s comment about how you’ll only like it if you grew up in the 80’s… as if that’s when the book was written!!
I loved the movie, but I wouldn’t recommend it for YOUNG children. I think the themes are overall too serious for a 2 year old, but older kids who can understand what’s going on, it’s great. As for adults, the movie is phenomenal!
Andrea
October 20th, 2009
11:31 pm
My two and a half year old adores this book. And even if this is not considered a “kid movie,” he is just excited to see the actual Wild Things in the movie. To me this movie is no different than movies we watched as children. The Never Ending Story could be considered a depressing movie. Also Willow, and even Narnia have depressing parts in them. And is Horton Hears a Who, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas close to the book? NO! So what’s the big deal with that? My son and I have been watching previews online, and on HBO, and he could not be more excited to see this film! Now granted, I do not think I will taking him to the theaters to see this due to the loudness and the darkness in the movie theater experience. So parents, if you wondering like me should I take my child who loves this book to see the movie? Do what I’m going to do, wait three months when it comes out on DVD. Then preview it before you let your child watch it. If there are parts that are too much for children, well then that’s what the forward button is for!!
Andrea
October 20th, 2009
11:39 pm
LovedWildThings- I agree with you on the whole concept thing. Although I do consider my toddler smart, I am realistic enough to know that he will not understand the depth of the movie until he is older. However, my son does not get the concept of Jurassic Park. But he LOVES to watch the dinosaur parts of the movie. And anyone who will call me a bad parent for letting my two year old watch Jurassic Park, we fast forward through the scary parts (such as T-Rex and the goat, or the Raptor eating the hunter.) So all he’s sees are these magnificent creatures who he “wows” at. I want my child to be enthralled by giants, not terrified of them.
Where the Wild Things Are « I Am Agonistes
October 21st, 2009
5:29 pm
[...] is (or was) potential for Where the Wild Things Are, but it comes up way short. The trouble with the plot is that … there really is no plot. This [...]
Bucknut
October 24th, 2009
1:56 pm
Wow…lots of whiners on here, I bet all the people who thought this was a horrible, boring, sick movie are some of the same people who praise the likes of “Transformers 2″ Get a clue.
Amy
October 30th, 2009
11:46 am
We went. I have a 12 year old boy, and 10 and 7 year old girls. I don’t think any of them found it scary. And honestly, it didn’t look scary…the imagery is dark but not scary. My kids have watched the Harry Potter films from a young age, and had very little problems. What it is, though, is emotionally raw in many bits. My 12 year old, probably liked it but won’t admit it. My 10 year old LOVED it, with the sadness and all. But, these are older kids with a little more emotional maturity under their belts. My 7 year old, liked most of it, but cried her heart out at some parts. Not because she was scared, but because she was sad. I think kids between ages 5-7 will have a more sensitive/sad/emotional reaction….but there is a good chance a lot of that would completely go over the heads of younger kids that that. The child in the movie is of an age that is similar to my daughters, and has similar feelings, so I feel she was just really relating on an emotional level to the movie. It’s ok to be sad once in a while, and we were able to talk a bit about that with her. I would take them to see it again, but would ask the 7 year old if she wanted to see it again….I think she will have a different perspective in a year or two.
Molly
November 27th, 2009
7:10 am
I saw this film last night – at the Premiere in Melbourne.
I thought it was way too depressing and Blairwitch-Project-Scarey for children to go and see. There is vivid violence and very fearful moments where the boy is bullied by other kids (gets his safe igloo crushed by his sisters friends) and is weeping in such a morbid way that you think he might want to kill himself – then he isolates himself in his room and life is too bleak for this little boy, then he bites his mum after getting no attention from anyone, and he runs away to a land of monsters.. however the monsters(even their voices are gentle and timid – an effort by director to balance out the horror element of the movie) – are menacing at times and are very violent to each other (I can imagine children play acting a lot of these scenes and really hurting each other – jumping on faces, pelting rocks at each other) and at one stage Max, the boy is chased and fearing his life, so jumps into the mouth of his monster friend to escape. The camera work is all very wonky Blairewitch-Project style which adds to the feral, wildness of movie. But there are too many extremes.,.. either they are all depressed, feeling lost and rejected by life and with the lost hope of the sun disappearing forever, or they are sighing and sayin that noone loves them or understands them, or they are feral and completely out of control. So its a pretty morbid, sad movie – too much so for children I beleive.. Happy ending of course, however, even then, more sighing and sleeping.
I appreciate the mood that the director sought to create,and even the cosy relationship of the “stacks on ” moments and the unity they shared, however, I would say this movie is not really for children – wait until they at least 14 years old or your children are likely to have nightmares or as Maurice Sendak rudely stated, “wet themselves” – I was shocked by this attitude. Ive lost all respect for him.
The movie is well suited to adults who grew up reading the book – but definately not for children under 14years old or more. The book is far more innocent than the movie, so dont be fooled and pay your money and take your children and then mop up the mess of impending nightmares over the years.