Overall, I'm giving this film a B+.

The good: This film has some truly beautiful moments. The direction is superb and the cinematography couldn't be better. The film gets a little emotional too, which works in its favor. I went into this film wanting it to delve into some deeper issues which many kid's at max's age go through- and it did just that. boys that age are a bit crazy, emotional, confused, and full of energy. where the wild things are utilizes that. many people (especially guys) will be able to relate to many of the feelings which max feels - lonely, unliked, and having low self-esteem. furthermore, i thought it was appropriate that the "wild things" mirrored those feelings and events that happened earlier in the film.

The bad: I thought the story was a little weak. I especially didnt like the whole Bob and Terri subplot. It felt like an afterthought which was tacked on. Plus the messages are very subtle in this film- which i both liked and disliked. many of the messages are communicated only through character's glances and watchful eyes. you know that max has several revelations, but its never spelled out. in addition, many topics are touched on but never fully explored or built upon. lastly, if you were a kid watching this film, you would probably be a bit bored.

overall, a great film, but a flawed film. go see it if youre a fan of the book.

Where the Wild Things are - Book = 37 pages.  Cut down and edited by Hollywood to run on TV would have came in at about 21 pages.

Where the Wild Things are - Movie = 1 hour 34 min. Convoluted into a ball of who gives a smack, cos 87% of the xbox 360, controller in hand, kids who go see this movie haven't ever even read the book or, if they have, they were forced to by their parents who wish to vicariously live thru the lives of their children.

The movie was balls... Emotions and sentiment aside and alike. The movie was Goat piss. And I'm a sentimental guy who writes music about ocean sounds and rainy days of the week.

Sorry, Balt, i couldn't resist:

Is a rating of 'Goat piss' higher or lower than one that 'sucks goat's nips'?

I didn't like it. It just had nothing going on for the longest time. There were a few (bitter)sweet moments, and I liked the ending, but the film as a whole was one big bore to me.

I did not like it at all, except the ending. It was a complete mess and all over the place. Really surprised actually.

It was pretty pointless but I thought it was alright.

I was falling asleep until I heard James Gandolfini's voice, and then I followed it all the way through.  Sad movie...to me, at least.