You might have figured out by now that I judge movie posters pretty harshly. Maybe that's because 90% of them are shamefully generic and lame. But today I was met with a pleasant surprise… behold!
This is how it should be done, folks!
I absolutely love this poster. 
And yes, in case you weren't aware, this is an adaptation of that book your parents read to you back in the day. Surely you remember Max, the young boy sent to his room for being bratty? And how, thanks to his active imagination, he was hardly fazed by his punishment?
This Caldecott Medal recipient was only ten sentences long, so I'm really curious to see how Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) expanded its story line. As a full-length trailer is supposed to premiere in front of Monsters & Aliens next weekend, I'm sure we'll have a better feel for the film soon.
There's a lot more I could say about Where the Wild Things Are, but since it's not out until the fall, I'm choosing to save the rest of my thoughts for later and leave you with four of its stunning sneak-peek images instead. Catch them after the break…
I really hope this movie inspires other filmmakers in the fantasy genre to bring back costumes and Muppet-like characters à la The NeverEnding Story and The Dark Crystal. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that they might be over the CGI craze after seeing these stills?
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 7:28 am
Let the wild rumpous start!!!!
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:03 am
You know, I never did like this book as a kid, but it was my husband’s favorite.
I hope you are right about the movie inspiring the return of costumes though – those older films were wonderful. (And Dark Crystal STILL gives me the creeps. I have to admit, I prefer Labyrinth …)
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:18 am
All I can say is YAY! I had forgotten this was even happening!
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:23 am
I bought a three pack of movies that included The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Mirror Mask. Best. investment. ever!
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:31 am
Hmm, never heard of Mirror Mask. My two movie set includes Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:45 am
Mirror Mask is a mostly CGI movie put out by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (sp?) that was fairly brilliant and had a similar tone and imagination as those two 80s classics.
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 9:55 am
Sounds good – I’ll have to check it out.
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 12:39 pm
There are also a couple more great pics on imdb. Jim Henson is smirking from above.
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 5:12 pm
i loved this book as a kid and can’t wait for the movie, and i think my children will be thrilled!!
Posted on March 24, 2009 at 10:42 pm
It’s an interesting mix of cgi and puppetry/costumes they’re doing for the monsters. CGI faces added in post onto the existing costume for most monsters. Really interesting way to do it and it looks like it’s working out well.
Posted on March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm
i can’t wait to see this movie. when is it coming out.