Approved for 12+

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak's classic book comes to the big screen in an adventure tale for every generation. "Where the Wild Things Are" follows the adventure of Max (Max Records), a mischievous young boy who is sent to his room after rebelling against his mother (Catherine Keener). Max's imagination is free to roam, and it soon transports him to a thriving forest bordering a vast sea. Delighted, he sets sail for the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns and Max rules. In bringing this imaginative fantasy to life, Jonze leads a team of filmmakers incorporating the most dynamic elements of voice performance, live-action puppetry and computer animation.
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Negative Rating
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SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
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Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

This is a film for the imagination. The kids should love it. Young Max (Max Records) lives in an imaginary world. His father has passed away and his mother works hard. One night while she is entertaining a date he goes too far with his occasional rebellion and as his mother grabs him he bites her. He immediately runs away and Max invents a world he alone travels to. It should be noted that Max does show regret for this behavior later on and his mother forgives him.

Max convinces the creatures in the Land of the Wild Things that he is a king. He comes up with plans for several changes in their world and they embrace him as their new leader. There are a few scenes in which some roughhousing takes place but Max is never seriously hurt. The film seems to be a metaphor of dealing with one’s feelings and emotions and Max eventually realizes that, as much fun as he has had, he can’t live forever in this world but must return home.

It should be noted that there are a few strong words uttered in the film and some violence, which is not gratuitous, and we therefore recommend this movie for ages twelve and above. Kids will love it. Take them to this journey into the imagination and enjoy the trip!

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

A kid jumps on top of Max's newly made igloo and Max is hurt; a creature is thrown; a creature removes another creature's arm but there is no real pain displayed; a kid bites his mother but later shows regret; a storm at sea; a couple of creatures show their affection for one another by hitting each other; a creature knocks owls out of the sky with a stone but they survive and talk to him; creatures argue; a few characters are hit by dirt clods when they have a dirt clod fight; a creature makes a hole in house by hitting the material in anger.

1
Sex

Kissing by a dating couple.

2
Language

D-1; H-1; OMG-1

1
Violence

A kid jumps on top of Max's newly made igloo and Max is hurt; a creature is thrown; a creature removes another creature's arm but there is no real pain displayed; a kid bites his mother but later shows regret; a storm at sea; a couple of creatures show their affection for one another by hitting each other; a creature knocks owls out of the sky with a stone but they survive and talk to him; creatures argue; a few characters are hit by dirt clods when they have a dirt clod fight; a creature makes a hole in house by hitting the material in anger.

1
Drugs

A couple drinks some wine.

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

A character is angry with his sister's friends and jumps up and down on her bed with his wet feet and messes up her room; a creature tells a lie; a creature licks Max; a boy shows disrespect to his mother but is sorry later on.

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