Its fascinating how some select memories from your childhood never seem to fade; I remember reading Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are” as a very young kid in my school’s tiny library, the only precious copy, worn and tattered. While I no longer recall any of the words from the book the images have endured in my mind ever since, as if etched forever in some unerasable part of my brain.
Come October 16th, Spike Jonze, the director who gave us the whimsical “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation” is set to relive our childhood memories with his film adaptation of the book. Below are some screen caps from the most awesome looking HD trailer :
Spike Jonze, together with Jonathan Glazer ( Birth ) and Michel Gondry ( Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind ), honed their cinematic skills shooting music videos before embarking on feature films, and their penchant for beautiful visuals is a hallmark of their work. On top of that, Where The Wild Things Are is shot by one of my favourite cinematographers Lance Acord, who was behind the lens in both Adaptation and Being John Malkovich, as well as a dozen of other gorgeous films like Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette.
The legendary Jim Henson Studios are in charge of the creature effects, and the shots from the trailer remind me fondly of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, films I absolutely adore. Even Miyazaki Hayao’s masterpiece Totoro comes to mind.
As with many a great other literary work that made its transition to the big screen, there has been some criticism, speculation and unrest that the “making the film is just a terrible idea”, that the original material is “not shootable”. Personally I feel that an adaptation is an adaptation, and as long as the film stays true to the essence of the original material, we should be happy that the filmmakers who embarked on the project has given us a new chance, a new way of experiencing that book that we so loved.
Let the HD trailer on apple.com sweep you away, to where the wild things are.
Is no one as excited as I am ? :]
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March 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I’m also impressed! I watched the trailer a couple times just last night on Apple.com.
Like you, I can’t even remember what this book was about but the images of the monsters is unforgettable although “Chicken Soup with Rice” stick out in my mind more. The film looks really good though. Not sure whether some of the effect are CG or not but anyways I like it when the CG doesn’t look like CG.
March 29th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I am, totally and utterly, tears in the eyes excited…. it was shot here in Australia! I get the same feeling of the Dark Crystal with those effects like you said and that only adds to my nostalgia, whether it works for a much younger generation… really don’t know.
March 29th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I love the poster.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:43 am
i remember reading the book when i was in primary school as well!
March 30th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
It’s actually been a long while since a live-action trailer really incited emotions from me. This will probably the one movie I look forward to the most.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
ohh. i like the muted colors.
March 30th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Brilliant cinematography. As expected of Spike Jonez. 😀
March 31st, 2009 at 1:40 am
Have you seen Katsuya Terada’s interpretation of Totoro? The detailing and the mood these creatures suits evoke really do remind me of that.
http://totoroforestproject.org/
You’ll have to actually click on the “artists” and then the listing under “k” since the website layout doesn’t allow me to directly link to the image itself. it’ll be worth your minute.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:07 am
Roy – Hey, haven’t heard from you for quite a while. From what I read online only the facial expressions are CG, but if you are familiar with the term rotoscoping that sounds like a really hellish job to do.
andrea – Wow, had no idea it was shot in Australia ! You must be really proud haha.
Bitter Lix – Oh yes. :]
gordon – Probably a staple of libraries in Singapore primary schools, which is cool.
weigy – Yes I’ve seen that picture, its really wicked ! I’ve actually got a blog post right here :
http://halcyonrealms.com/anime/totoro-forest-project-artbook/
tragic comedy – Oh yes I forgot to mention that in the post, thanks !
MrMayat – And Lance Acord too, what a brilliant team. :]
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Great write-up!
I am very excited about this one as well. There is just this group of director’s that you know will only produce great work, and Spike Jonze is definitely one of them.
A good friend of mine did a pretty fantastic illustration of one of the Wild Things as a pinup model for the comic Screamland a little while back.
I might see if I can get him to post up a link as it would be very well timed.
He is at: http://www.bustermoody.com
April 21st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Sorry I am late on this post but this story means a lot to me and the way you described it in your post almost brought a tear to my eye. Just like the trailer does.
A band called Arcade Fire re-recorded one of their songs for this trailer and it’s amazing! Hope the band gets some recognition as well.
I trust Spize Jonze and everyone else involved in this film…