Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

©2009 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.

Finally, a thinking kid’s movie that may just edify the little ones while also fascinating them. And their parents. This little masterpiece is gorgeous, wondrous and a little scary. Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) expands considerably on Maurice Sendak’s 300-word children’s story to create as good an exploration of a child’s mind as we’re ever likely to see. It’s truly a case of “inspired by,” but inspirational it is. Not much happens in this empathetic and psychologically acute film, but it rings true nonetheless. A highly imaginative, misbehaving 9-year-old boy (Max Records in an unforced, thankfully non-irritating performance) retreats into a world of ferocious and quite large forest beasts, each of which represents a facet of his own personality. He promises, as they make him their king, to make them all happy, but finds that this is a complicated thing to do. The main monster (and Max’ soul) is Carol (voice by James Gandolfini), who’s a bit insecure and likes to smash everything in sight. Catherine Keener plays Max’ mom, while other voice talent includes Lauren Ambrose, Paul Dano, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker and Chris Cooper. For the child within.

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