Mar 28 2008Whitaker Defends 'Where the Wild Things Are'
As rumors continue to fly about possible reshoots for Spike Jonze's suposedly-too-scary-for-kids Where the Wild Things Are, Forest Whitaker--who plays one of said Wild Things--has spoken up to say "WTF, my kids totally dug it," or something to that effect.
If your unending reverence to Spike Jonze has you as concerned as I am about the future of Where the Wild Things Are, I'd suggest reading over the full article, in which Whitaker goes on to describe some plot elements and (spoiler!) monster-as-stepdad metaphor--even suggesting kids may have emotions other than "child-like wonderment", and might actually identify with the darker scenes.
Hopefully Whitaker's words will push Warner to reconsider their assessment. This generation still desperately needs their Return to Oz: something they'll love to be scared shitless by. After all, where would I be today without my undying fear of Wheelers?
Reader Comments
1. 5-15-9 - March 28, 2008 1:23 PM
Ahhh....... The Wheelers. Good times.
2. Uncle Eccoli - March 28, 2008 1:48 PM
The scariest thing about Return to Oz was that pumpkin-headed freak.
Where the Wild Things Are is creepy - even the picture book.
3. ShitBitch Carl - March 28, 2008 3:22 PM
I didn't find Jack that scary, more weird. Dorothy getting that powder of life scared the shit out of me though, and so did the Wheelers. Damn, that movie is soo good.
It was creepy when jack's room started sprouting foliage. I think we may all need this movie, not just the kids.
4. hayson - March 28, 2008 3:35 PM
RETURN TO OZ.... SO glad you mentioned that! WTWTA would be a great addition to that realm of films. And who gives a shit if the kids get scared? Has anyone turned on the news lately? My guess is they're all scared anyway, whether the wild things are there or not...
5. Kurt - March 28, 2008 4:07 PM
I'm 21 with 3 younger sisters who never grew up with the same influences that I did. When I show them movies from my childhood like "Return to Oz", "The Neverending Story", "The Labyrynth", or the "Ewok Adventures" even my 11 year old sister has turned to me and said, "Wow, I'm actually jealous, the movies you grew up with were much more interesting" and its true. We all grew up with "E.T." and we turned out great. I think kids these days need their own "Dark Crystal" to love AND be afraid of, and they should love to be afraid of it. Leave the movie alone and let kids decide what is too scary for them
6. Deborah - March 28, 2008 11:17 PM
The movie that scared me the most as a child was "Bride of Boogedy". I crapped my pants everytime I heard the violin music and saw his deformed face. It was a disney movie so in theory it shouldnt have been that bad but this just proves that you never know whats going to scare children. Disney didnt think Bride of Boodedy was that scary yet it haunts me to this very day....
7. nano - March 29, 2008 11:45 PM
I love you for referring to Return to Oz.
Most fantastic childhood terrorising movie i ever saw as a young lad. I actually saw it on sale a few years back at some dodgy VHS stand in the middle of a shopping centre and bought it straight away.
Fuck CGI, movies need to be made with more shitty claymation bad guys.
8. Kurt - March 30, 2008 1:15 PM
We need to bring back puppets! Where is Jim Hensen's son when we need him!?