Where The Wild Things Are

The family and I finally got to see Where The Wild Things Are. When I first saw the preview several months ago, it had me in the first 5 seconds. So, I had my hopes set pretty high and figured I was in for some disappointment.

Well, I’m very glad to say that this movie did not disappoint. In fact, I have to say that Where The Wild Things Are is now one of my favorite movies of all time. Here’s why…

The movie looks beautiful. Beautiful in a unique way. It’s a rough and earthy beauty. But the Wild Things are like huge stuffed animals come to life, and you can’t help but feel comfortable around them for some reason. I don’t know how they did it. It’s awesome. My boys liked this movie, and they are only 6 and 4. I don’t think they understood the story, but the characters were cool enough to be enjoyable just for being who they were. Their personalities were unique, and their facial expressions were incredible. These monsters will make you cry – even if your heart is 10 sizes too small. This movie is just all around beautiful.

The soundtrack was perfect. There is a sample below. I can’t wait to get it. My kids loved that as well.

But this movie is not really for kids as much as it is about kids – which brings me to what I love the most about this movie…

The story is profound.

It is complex and sophisticated.

This movie requires you to think and feel. And after you leave…you can’t stop thinking about it. You want to watch it again. You need to watch it again because it’s that deep. You won’t like this movie if you want to let your mind go numb and laugh.  The story is about loneliness – a child’s loneliness in the middle of the mess of family relationships. And I’m so glad that Spike Jonze went there.

This was a story I could relate to.

I could relate on two levels because I know what it feels like to be Max. I was that kid. My family was a mess. I wanted to run away. I was the kid who kept things bottled up inside and ventured off to imaginary worlds in my mind. I told many of my troubles to my stuffed animal. I still have that bear. But God also used that mess to lead me to cry out to Him. I needed Him. I needed a perfect Father.

And now…

I am a father…

A father of two boys.

And I hope they will see me as a Wild Thing Father who is just as messed up as they are.

A father that they can relate with, play with, fight with, and by God’s grace one day…

Love.

Because we are all messed up people in a messed up family…

But our perfect Father has adopted us into His.

And one day all the mess will be be gone.

He will wipe away our tears.

He will wrap His arms around us.

He will have a feast prepared for us.

And all that will be left…

Is Love.