Maxed out? 'Where the Wild Things Are' is too adult for kids, and too kid-like for adults. Pictures Visit the Photo Place

>> EVEN WITH GOOD ACTORS, A BAD SCRIPT IS TOUGH TO SAVE--AS 'LAW ABIDING CITIZEN' SHOWS

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Date published: 10/22/2009

"WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE" (PG) HH STARRING: MAX RECORDS, CATHERINE KEENER, JAMES GANDOLFINI, CATHERINE O'HARA

RUNNING TIME: 94 min.

This big-screen translation of the much-loved children's book starts well, translating a creative child's anger and despair into an imagined world where he can howl with the wild things.

But once young Max flees the house where he has lashed out at his single mother, and makes it to the island where big, round wild things live an unencumbered existence, things bog down.

Young Max--dressed in the wolf suit he dons to be a wild thing back in the regular world--impresses the wild things with creative lies on his exploits with Vikings.

In the wild animals, there are parallels to the alienation he feels from his father, the connection he has with his mother and even the anger he feels for his sister, who doesn't always have his back.

But as he becomes a part of this world, encouraging howling and a big pile-on out in the middle of the wild things camp, the movie bogs down terribly.

Sure, the wild things' village and costumes are pretty cool, and it helps to have pros like James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Chris Cooper and others voicing the wild things.

But jeepers, nothing much happens, other than the big gruff Carol getting upset with Max, and eventually, the decision the youngster makes to go back home.

Part of the problem is that the film isn't really targeted to a specific group. It's too scary and confrontational to be for the very young.

And it's a little too childish and supposedly filled with childish awe to rivet adults' attention.

That said, it does have enough of a sense of hope to be different from the average offering.

It would be better if the turn on the wild things' island had more of a purpose.

Rated PG for mild thematic elements, adventure action, brief language. [RF, RA, M]

"LAW ABIDING CITIZEN" (R) HH

STARRING: JAMIE FOXX, GERARD BUTLER, COLM MEANEY

RUNNING TIME: 108 min.

What might have been a meaningful thriller about a man failed by the legal system is wasted as it becomes just another film about a crazed guy blowing stuff up.

RF: Regal Cinema Fredericksburg 15, 540/786-4900 RA: Regal Cinema Aquia 10, 540/659-3200 M: Marquee Cinemas, 540/710-0401 Schedules are subject to change. Call ahead to verify locations.

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Date published: 10/22/2009