‘Where the Wild Things Are’ isn’t just for the kids

Don’t be fooled. “Where the Wild Things Are” is not your typical family movie.

Usually when people hear the phrase “family movie,” they think, “Hey, take your kids to this movie, and maybe they won’t bug you for 90 minutes.” And rightly so. Many of today’s children’s films, with the notable exception of Pixar’s animated films, are simply hyperactive romps featuring vaguely archetypal talking animals.

But I assure you, there is a quality difference between the talking monsters of “WTWTA” and the talking Chihuahuas of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.” To prove it, I’ve come up with a list of four of the film’s collaborators who illustrate the film’s elevation beyond bland kiddie fare.

1.) Legendary writer-illustrator Maurice Sendak: Since most of you grew up after 1963, I don’t think Sendak’s magnum opus of children’s books, “Where the Wild Things Are,” needs much introduction. We all grew up reading about main character Max’s escapades, and we all envied his ability to venture freely from his room to his own private wild kingdom.

But what you may not know is that Sendak has problems with depression, that most of his relatives died in the Holocaust or that he once declared that he hated people. It’s all the more impressive that Sendak has somehow managed to find a redeeming strain of humanity — namely, our childlike innocence and wonder — and derived meaningful art from it.

2.) Ultra-hipster director Spike Jonze: Whether “WTWTA” soars or bombs, director Spike Jonze is certifiably awesome. Before his two previous adult-intended features, “Being John Malkovich” (1999) and “Adaptation” (2002), Jonze directed music videos for such greats as R.E.M., Weezer and the Beastie Boys. Look up the hilariously low-budget “Sabotage” and you’ll get a taste for his style.

And fittingly, Jonze has an overactive imagination. His first full-length film, “Being John Malkovich,” was, more literally than you’d think, about being John Malkovich. The protagonist (John Cusack) controls the respected actor through a portal in his office.

The film was a critical and commercial success — earning three Oscar nominations and twice its budget — but that didn’t stop Jonze from risking his reputation as a highbrow artist to produce the decidedly less classy but no less entertaining “Jackass” and “Jackass Number Two” films. Say what you want about Jonze, but the man is brave.

3.) Author extraordinaire Dave Eggers: Eggers — the co-writer of the script — is one of the most talented and versatile writers of his generation.

Before delving headfirst into the land of the wild things, Eggers wrote a groundbreaking memoir (“A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius”) about raising his brother, Toph, after their parents died. He went on to pen a powerful novelization of a war refugee’s life (“What is the What”) in Africa and the United States.

What he’ll bring to the movie, I suspect, is tight dialogue and complex emotions — usually not the strong suit of children’s films.

4) Rock queen of the Yeah Yeahs Yeahs, Karen O: Now, all the names I’ve just mentioned are merely good omens. They reflect a concentration of artistic talent that should, if nothing else, churn out something original, if not wholly masterful. But there’s no need to speculate about Karen O’s movie soundtrack, which has already been released. Just listen to it — it’s awesome.

“WTWTA” is going to be interesting. And if I’ve only inflated your hopes so that they might dash across the theatre aisle when it turns out that it is, as some Warner Brothers executives described an early cut, “too weird” or “too scary” ­— a similar criticism was originally applied to the book — take consolation in the fact that it’s a distraction we can all partake in. And that’s what family movies are all about.