Where the Wild Things Are

[SmilinJackRoss]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33134

I'm curious what the plot of this movie will be, considering it is based on a book that you can read in about 45 seconds.  But with Spike Jonze directing, color me excited.

[torgosPizza]

I second that. Not sure how they'll be able to expand the story, but Spike Jonze is pretty talented, so looking forward to it. I think they'll be showcasing something at Comic Con this year as well.

[Pak-Man]

They're treading on sacred ground. As long as they tread carefully... :^)

[SmilinJackRoss]

Judging from the photo, they're at least staying true to the book visually.  But expanding it into a full length film will require some...embellishments.  To say the least.

[the long undertow]

I have serious doubts.  A budget of multiple millions and that's the best monster costume they could come up with?  You can see the actor's face!

[SmilinJackRoss]

Looks good to me.

[Nunyerbiz]

We all know how it's going to shake out... at some point that kid will be digitally removed and a CGI abortion of epic magnitude will be dropped in his place.  

I'm not going to get into who is directing or the intent and talent behind this project... I'm sure everybody involved has good intentions...  but come on....  can't Hollywood just leave well enough alone at some point? (dumb question... I know)

[SmilinJackRoss]

I guess I don't understand why you think this is automatically a bad idea.  Don't let Hollywood shape you into too much of a cynic Nunyerbiz, when the truth is, this movie could very well rock.  Obviously we don't know for sure, but I have a feeling Jonze will keep this from becoming a CGI fest. And from the one pic we have, the monsters are practical, not CGI.

[Tripe]

We all know how it's going to shake out... at some point that kid will be digitally removed and a CGI abortion of epic magnitude will be dropped in his place.  

I doubt it, the kid looks pretty much like Max. Now as for the Wild Things proper they will undoubtedly be CGI.

[GregMcduck]

People, Hollywood will never stop adapting things. That's about as much a fact a life as "you need water to survive" and "pain don't hurt".

This visually looks good, and of course Spike Jonze and all that, so I have good hopes in this project.

[Nunyerbiz]

From my perspective, it's not really about being cynical towards Hollywood. Yea, my reply was snarky in an attempt to make a broad joke.. I wasn't being serious about Max being replaced with a CGI double.

I don't have any animosity towards this project. It's just that the book is a perfect little nugget of childhood... and in my opinion, it doesn't really need to be drawn out to 90 minutes. I'm not expecting an abomination like "Cat in the Hat"... but even if it's good, it's not going to be a good as my memories of the book.

[SmilinJackRoss]

I don't have any animosity towards this project. It's just that the book is a perfect little nugget of childhood... and in my opinion, it doesn't really need to be drawn out to 90 minutes. I'm not expecting an abomination like "Cat in the Hat"... but even if it's good, it's not going to be a good as my memories of the book.

In a way you're right.  I mean, there's going to be a certain amount of "automatic letdown" attached to this movie, especially if you have some fond childhood memories of the book (I do too).  It will be a tricky line to balance between staying true to the book, and not directly comparing the two.  Basically the reason I think this movie will be good is based entirely on the fact that Spike Jonze is directing and co-writing with Dave Eggers, another wonderfully talented guy.

By the way, my 3 year old neice and 5 year old nephew LOVE the book, and know it by heart, and I love reading it with them.  I love it when something from my childhood can enter theirs, it's such an awesome feeling.

[Tripe]

I love it when something from my childhood can enter theirs, it's such an awesome feeling.

I felt the same way when my godson picked up The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. Another genius work of unhingery

[Petey Wheatstraw]

Wasn't this supposed to be animated?

[SmilinJackRoss]

I think it was always supposed to have live action, but I was looking into this little bit further, and some sites are saying that it will have some "heavy CGI-animated elements."  I guess considering the above photo, maybe the backgrounds will be the CGI part?

EDIT:  via comingsoon.net:

The adventure film will use a unique process to bring the story to life, incorporating the most dynamic elements of voice performance, live-action puppetry and computer animation.