"Where the Wild Things Are" -- the book versus the movie

September 10, 10:17 AMPortland Books ExaminerSara Gundell

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 Photo: Warner Bros.

Spike Jonze's movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book Where the Wild Things Are is finally coming to theaters this October -- despite numerous delays and problems with the production.

And now that the film is about to hit theaters, its young star is talking about the movie buzz and comparing it to the original controversy when the book was published in 1963. Sendak was criticized for writing a book that was too dark and too scary for children, but over the years, Where the Wild Things Are has become one of the most beloved children's books ever -- both among kids and adults.

In an interview with MTV, Max Records thinks the negative buzz that surrounded the movie adaptation in its early days is similar to the original criticism of Sendak's book:

“When the book first came out, it was banned and all the adults hated it and stuff,” Jonze’s young leading man reasoned. “But all the kids absolutely loved it. Then people started realizing ‘Oh this is good. This is good.’ And so, I think it’s the same thing - only hopefully, it won’t take too long for people to actually realize that it’s really, really amazing.”

Where the Wild Things tells the story of young Max -- who misbehaves and is sent to bed without supper. Once in his rooms, he imagines himself in a far away land, where he cuts loose with the titular Wild Things -- until he becomes homesick, and returns to his room, where dinner is waiting for him. The book is only ten sentences long -- enhanced by Sendak's delightful and classically charming illustrations -- so it will be interesting to see how the story translates to the big screen.

And despite all that early bad buzz about the movie, most agree that the trailers -- at least -- look absolutely stunning:

"Where the Wild Things Are" is due out in theaters on October 16th.

See all of this Fall's book-to-movie adaptations.