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.

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!

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.