This review is part of my IMDB Top 250 Films project and has been kindly done by Shah Shahid, please be sure to check out his site and read on for his excellent review.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - A pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them.
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Reviewed by Shah Shahid. Please check out his blog:
Follow him on twitter @theshahshahid
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Top 250 #192
Year of Release: 2012
Director: Wes Anderson
Cast:
Bruce Willis - Captain Sharp
Edward Norton - Scout Master Ward
Bill Murray - Walt Bishop
Frances McDormand - Laura Bishop
Tilda Swinton - Social Services
Ahoy Tyson-ites! (followers of Head In A Vice) I’m super ecstatic to be guesting a Review for my 1st Blogging friend, for whom I have mad hetero e-love! Not that I have non-hetero e-love for someone else, I… umm—moving on!
I’m not a huge fan of Horror films. So this Blog shouldn’t suit my tastes, however, it’s solely due to Tyson’s style and his nature as a Blogger to reach out that’s kept me coming back, and I’m glad I have. He’s got innovative ideas and great projects to involve other Bloggers, and I’ve been waiting to get involved (strictly business) for a while now! Tyson’s Top 250 IMDB Films project has given me that chance.
Thus the following review has come forth for your enjoyment, as well as harsh & brutal criticism. I’d make a joke here about this being my ‘first time’… but I’ll skip it. Be gentle nonetheless. I give you MOONRISE KINGDOM.
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I never review comedies as a rule. They’re subjective and to each their own. However, I’ve been a fan of Wes Anderson from his first film, and despite the sidesplitting pain inducing hilarity in his films, they can hardly be described as comedies. MOONRISE KINGDOM is his latest offering of a heartwarming and refreshing film with his trademark quirky characters.
MOONRISE KINGDOM is about two twelve year olds from a small Island community in the 1960’s who fall in love, and run away together, causing the entire Island population to be in uproar trying to find them, and the antics that ensue… right before an annually devastating storm.
It’s a simple and sweet story, but written and executed brilliantly by Wes Anderson. The first few frames right away establish the eccentric tone and setting of the film. The boxy layout and décor of homes in the ‘60s is accurately captured by Anderson with his camera work; tracking side to side and panning abruptly in panoramic views to establish the entire interior of a house, showing us the occupants of every room at different times of a day… classic.
It’s also another throwback to older Filmmaking styles which saw scenes being set up around the limited movement of a camera, instead of the other way around. Even the colors palette used by the cinematographer are reminiscent of very old school 60’s movies. The performances and costumes further enhance that feel. Add in the soundtrack of original music by Alexandre Desplat, and you’ve got a film that feels like it was written and made in the 60’s.
MOONRISE KINGDOM is complete with Anderson’s brand of comedy, tension, drama and best of all, the weird ass characters. And a film such as this is all about the performances, which is delivers in scores.
The all-star cast is incredibly impressive and in no means wasted by cameos or guest appearances. However, despite the major cast, the film belong to Kara Hayward & Jared Filman, who make their acting debuts with MOONRISE KINGDOM. Playing 12 year olds, who have issues with their respective family lives, Suzy & Sam develop a friendship writing letters to each other and plan to leave it all behind and make a life for themselves. I mentioned that they’re 12 yea?
Their disappearance causes Suzy’s parents, the Island’s hapless Police Captain, Sam’s man-boy Troop Master and his band of Boy Scouts (oh yea) to all go in hunt for their return. Add in the fact that Sam is an orphan whose Foster Parents don’t want him back, causing Social Services to plan on placing him in an orphanage… and you’ve got some added tension. There’s a lot more at work during the story, such as strained marriages, affairs, inner struggles, an illegal Troop hoarding ring an impending Storm; a chain of events which are all happening during and because of the kids running away.
MOONRISE KINGDOM is an amazingly quirky and refreshing film of endearment. Bruce Willis as the lonely Police Captain of this small Island is deep and powerful. Edward Norton as the Boy Scout Master desperately trying to maintain his leadership over his troop is hilarious and moving. The always awesome Frances McDormand as Suzy’s mother in an unhappy marriage is brilliant. Tilda Swinton does her usual cold and detached role as the Social Services lady. Harvey Keitel in a brief and frantic role is pretty damn good. Jason Schwartzman as an elder Boy Scout is funny as hell, helping the 12 year olds in their attempt to start a new life together. And of course, you’ve got the veteran Wes Anderson actor Bill Murray doing his usual quirky portrayal of a father and husband who is at his wit’s end of how to deal with wife or daughter.
Wes Anderson isn’t a revolutionary filmmaker by any means. He has a certain brand of cinema that he excels at, and he does so wonderfully. His characters are brilliantly written with such dark comedy that can’t be compared to what’s conventionally considered ‘funny’. MOONRISE KINGDOM is such a film that is thoroughly enjoyable and very relatable despite it’s shocking outburst and far fetched situations.
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Reviewed by Shah Shahid. Please check out his blog:
Follow him on twitter @theshahshahid
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It’s my honour to have you contributing here Shah. All the love is mutual my friend! Thank you so much for this excellent review, a pleasure to work with you
Always a pleasure man. I wish I’d known about your Blog + Project earlier so I couldn’t done a lot more.
Looking forward to more collaborations in the future!
Plenty of time, I will never run out of projects for you to contribute to! (Desert Island for example……)
Loved the movie, it remains my #1 of the year and have the Blu-ray. Enjoyed your review that captures the essence without giving it all away.
Thanks a lot for the kind words. I’m mildly narcissistic, so compliments help, or exasperate the condition… whichever. But thanks!
I try not to spoil movies I like… movies I dislike on the other hand…
I liked this film more than you!
Argghghshfhdfghekb!
Where am I?
Watch out for the tide!!
Very nice review of a “little” movie that I haven’t seen yet but — because of the review — goes on my “must see” list of films. Thank you!!
Just occurred to me that “Moonrise” was shot, I think, in Rhode Island, next door to our “ranch” in Massachusetts. I think some friends did background work in the film.
So if we look close enough we will see you & Marilyn peeking over in the background?!
Cool info as always Garry, thanks for dropping in
One of my Reviews made a list?!
*tear…
Nice review Shah. I saw this on its theatrical release earlier this year and really enjoyed it. The performances from the kids were a particular stand-out. It’s the first Wes Anderson film I’ve seen, but I’m keen to see more.
Thanks for the comment Gregory.
You should check out more Anderson… I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Reblogged this on Blank Page Beatdown and commented:
I bring some class to my friend Tyson Carter’s Blog with a Review of one of the best films of 2012, and a typical Wes Anderson joint… MOONRISE KINGDOM.
Tyson, I think it’s time to expand your project to IMDB’s Top 500 Films… ‘cuz I wanna do more!!
You bring nothing but class my friend!
Sometimes Moonrise Kingdom felt too hollow and cold for my liking. I liked the characters but the situations were getting more bizarre by the second. My two favourite Wes films, Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore, have that eccentricity but they also feel real and grounded.
I loved the style of Moonrise but I wasn’t completely sold. I think a 7 also matches my thoughts. Good review.
I am a huge fan of dry comedies such as this. A film like this reminds me of some of the British comedies I used to watch growing up. Plus, the cast was amazing. They all did such a great job producing a bland taste of comedy. It’s very unique and quirky; I for one love this film.
good review, I thoroughly enjoyed it!