Books into Movies: Dragon and Wild Things

We've been on a movie-drought lately, what with all the ice hockey practices and other activities going on.  But last month Hubby, Kiddo and I did sit down to watch a movie together, and then this week Kiddo and I actually went to the movies - WOW.  Both movies we watched were based on books so that's a bonus!

Movie #1: Where the Wild Things Are (on DVD)

Let me start by saying that this book is controversial in our house.  To me it is one of the stupidest things ever written.  To hubby it is the best children's book in the history of the world.  I hated it as a kid.  Hubby loved it without reservation.  Kiddo is rather indifferent to it.  His Grammy has read it to him several times (note here that his Mommy has NOT read it to him!) and he didn't really have much of an opinion either way.

When Hubby saw the previews for this movie he was estatic.  He couldn't wait to take Kiddo to see it.  Unfortunately time got away from him and the next thing you know it was out on DVD.

We sat down together to watch this one evening last month, all hoping for an enjoyable evening.  It wasn't looking good for me when I was uncomfortable with the direction of the movie within the first 10 minutes.  Even Kiddo was shocked by Max's horrendous behavior; he couldn't understand why any kid would act like that, especially the way Max behaved toward his mother.  Then Max got to the island and I quickly was bored.  I ended up spending the rest of the movie checking my Google Reader and answering emails.  About halfway through Hubby leaned over and whispered "This is REALLY bad." I couldn't agree more.*

Hubby and I ended up actually hating this movie.  Kiddo was generally unimpressed.


Movie #2: How to Train Your Dragon (in the theater)

Hubby had to work late but Kiddo and I had a rare free evening so the two of us headed out to see How To Train Your Dragon.  We were joined by my brother-in-law and his oldest son, Kiddo's cousin J.  J is three-and-half years old and this was his first time at the movies.  (In case you forgot, Kiddo is 8.)

We chose to see the 3D version, but not the 3D XD (only because it wasn't showing then).  Surprisingly there weren't that many people in the theater but it was a Monday night so maybe that explains it ...

We donned our 3D glasses - after explaining to J that he had to keep them on all during the movie - and settled back into our seats.  The adventure began quickly!  Within just a few minutes the dragons are attacking the Viking Village and things are getting crazy.

We were all really into the story from the start.  Kiddo and J were laughing out loud and even clapping at various points during the movie.  A few times they jumped in surprise but nothing was scary, just mildly unexpected.

The graphics in this movie are amazing, and the story is a great one.  I can't compare it to the book because we've never read it, but the move was excellent.  After it was over I asked Kiddo what he thought of it.  His usual response is "Eh, it was ok."  This time was different though.  This time he answered, "It was phenomenal!" And when Hubby later asked him if it was the best movie he's ever seen, he thought for a few minutes then replied, "It is ALMOST better than Star Wars."  And if you know Kiddo, you know that is the very best rating he could ever give.

I LOVED this movie and cannot wait for it to come out on DVD.  You can bet that we'll be buying it right away.


Have you seen either or both of these movies?  Please share your (spoiler-free) opinions on them in the comments!  

*Updated to add: I wasn't really clear about what I didn't like on the island so here's a list: monsters are creepy, plot is odd and didn't appeal to me at all, relationship between monsters are strange, the entire thing made me uncomfortable and bored at the same time. How's that? :)