Children's Tale Becomes Boffo Flick As 'Where the Wild Things are' Opens (Screen Scene)

"Where the Wild Things Are" is a nine-sentence book, written in 1963, that would seemingly defy attempts to turn it into a movie. Author and artist Maurice Sendak, the magician behind the work that has delighted children and afforded parents the chance to safely tuck in their little ones after reading the book to them, chose director Spike Jonze ("Being John Malkovich") to make a film of his hugely popular work. His confidence was well-placed. The movie adaptation, although not perfect, is imaginative and delightful. It's even a little bit scary, which is as it should be. Children should be prepared for the realities of the world. Using live actors and clever and believable special effects, Jonze has made an engaging motion picture.