Sunday’s New York Times had a great story about the wonderkin Spike Jonze, not simply gushing about his award-winning films but his true maverick spirit from his early years as an editor of Freestyle, the late BMX magazine where he got his start. The Times writer points to those that “gave” him the freedom to explore his own musings. However, what becomes obvious is Jonze’s determination to stick with his impulses, his inspirations on defining his own freedoms. Like most great auteurs, he seldom asks for permission. Jonze is known for asking for forgiveness rather than permission. This time its with his adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” which has been primed with years of anticipation from Jonze fans. Obviously, the trick for him will be whether he can have the same appeal for younger audiences. However, kids may never warm to this story that is somewhat complex in its underpinnings, or the lack of vapid, machinations of alien robots and monsters that they’ve become used to. It’s a long time coming, and like the fan club we can’t wait to see Sendak’s world in Jonze’s mind and hands.

via New York Times