Trailer Teaser: Where the Wild Things Are

This week the twitter-verse has been all a-flutter over the release the Where the Wild Things Are trailer. This film has come with some enormous expectations: based on the beloved picture book by Maurice Sendak, directed by the inventive Spike Jonze, who also co-wrote the adaptation with none other than the illustrious Dave Eggers. Combine this with a score by Karen O* of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and furry, Jim Henson created creatures and you’ve got a heady cocktail of contemporary brilliance.

Not to be confused with the other Spike (Lee), Jonze is the quirky cult director behind Being John Malcovich and Adaptation as well as an impressive number of music videos and commercials. Look up Jonze on YouTube and you’ll happily while away a couple of hours with Bjork, Fat Boy Slim, Beastie Boys and R.E.M video clips as well as Ikea, Gap and Levi ads (to name just a few).

It should come as no surprise then, that this new trailer finds Jonze is entirely in his element. It’s beautifully edited, almost like a self-contained short film, and the soundtrack – a new version of Arcade Fire’s Wake Up - is just perfect. Indeed, this trailer is simply sublime.

Where the Wild Things Are is slated for release in Australia on December 10^th. So that gives everyone plenty of time to do the following:

- Dig out your battered childhood copy of Sendak’s book to rediscover the naughty Max and his wild imagination.

- If you haven’t already, get to know and love Dave Eggers. You can start by heading over to McSweeney’s.

- In a delightful co-incidence with last week’s post, check out this 1983 Disney CG test for Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Pixar founder John Lasseter.

- And of course, cherish your own Wild Thing.

*Incidentally, Jonze has previously teamed up with Karen O for this Adidas commercial.