Moonrise Kingdom Review
by Jaylyn Cooley | June 29, 2012 | Reel Coolio
Moonrise Kingdom, the latest Wes Anderson film, is a 1960's coming-of-age tale set upon a fictional island off the New England coast, where two oddball kids find one another and decide to run away together. Town uproar ensues and the adventure to find them begins.
Suzy, played by newcomer Kara Hayward, is a 12 year old outcast amongst her classmates, and oddly enough, amongst her own family, too. Odd because her parents, played by Bill Murray and Francis McDormand, set the standard for strange and appear to be the primary source of the family's glaringly obvious dysfunction. Suzy has a quiet inner-angst about her; a demeanor that borders on the unrelatable yet demands empathy.
Then we have Sam, Suzy's 12-year-old love interest and fellow social outcast, played by Jared Gilman. Sam, an orphan that's been passed around foster families, quits the Khaki Scouts to run away with Suzy. He's a resourceful and intelligent kid, and by contrast, is far more vocal and outward with his social ineptness than Suzy.
The pair set off across the island to escape their misunderstood existences, pursued by Suzy's parents, the town Police Captain (Bruce Willis) and Sam's troop-mates led by their Scout Master (Edward Norton). A sense of urgency sets in when we discover that an unusually strong storm is rolling in, putting our young puppy lovers in serious danger.
The journey across the island is extremely picturesque and wholly charming in that it's somewhat of a paradise lost. Ripe with stylish coloring and a personality of its own, this gorgeous and magical setting is a sharp and peculiar contrast to the painful emergence of adulthood for these two awkward kids. They share their first fight, first kiss, and first night together in a tent, expertly setup by Sam. Suzy reads to Sam from her book collection, the bulk of what she brings in her suitcase, while Sam is left to take care of the necessities.
For the kids and those that pursue them, a sequence of contrived events befalls them. While not a direct attempt at comedy, the dry and stoic delivery by the supporting cast is clearly intended to get a few laughs, and in most cases it works. In others it feels like a personal plea by Anderson that these eccentric and oft times unrealistic characters be appreciated for their uniqueness. It grows a bit tiresome, and as a result the story drags in places. For a film that demands its due praise, the ending tied nicely up in a bow does little to help that particular cause.
Overall Moonrise Kingdom is a beautifully shot and artful film, ambitious in it's imagery and quirky in it's delivery. It's greatest strength is the splendor and wonder of the island, a story in and of itself. While it has the nostalgic charm one might expect of an Anderson film, its overt reach for reverence is a bit heavy-handed, and ultimately weighs down this otherwise delightful story.
Reel Coolio Rating [http://www.reelcoolio.com/review/moonrise-kingdom-review/]: 3/5 Stars
by Jaylyn Cooley | June 29, 2012 | Reel Coolio
Moonrise Kingdom, the latest Wes Anderson film, is a 1960's coming-of-age tale set upon a fictional island off the New England coast, where two oddball kids find one another and decide to run away together. Town uproar ensues and the adventure to find them begins.
Suzy, played by newcomer Kara Hayward, is a 12 year old outcast amongst her classmates, and oddly enough, amongst her own family, too. Odd because her parents, played by Bill Murray and Francis McDormand, set the standard for strange and appear to be the primary source of the family's glaringly obvious dysfunction. Suzy has a quiet inner-angst about her; a demeanor that borders on the unrelatable yet demands empathy.
Then we have Sam, Suzy's 12-year-old love interest and fellow social outcast, played by Jared Gilman. Sam, an orphan that's been passed around foster families, quits the Khaki Scouts to run away with Suzy. He's a resourceful and intelligent kid, and by contrast, is far more vocal and outward with his social ineptness than Suzy.
The pair set off across the island to escape their misunderstood existences, pursued by Suzy's parents, the town Police Captain (Bruce Willis) and Sam's troop-mates led by their Scout Master (Edward Norton). A sense of urgency sets in when we discover that an unusually strong storm is rolling in, putting our young puppy lovers in serious danger.
The journey across the island is extremely picturesque and wholly charming in that it's somewhat of a paradise lost. Ripe with stylish coloring and a personality of its own, this gorgeous and magical setting is a sharp and peculiar contrast to the painful emergence of adulthood for these two awkward kids. They share their first fight, first kiss, and first night together in a tent, expertly setup by Sam. Suzy reads to Sam from her book collection, the bulk of what she brings in her suitcase, while Sam is left to take care of the necessities.
For the kids and those that pursue them, a sequence of contrived events befalls them. While not a direct attempt at comedy, the dry and stoic delivery by the supporting cast is clearly intended to get a few laughs, and in most cases it works. In others it feels like a personal plea by Anderson that these eccentric and oft times unrealistic characters be appreciated for their uniqueness. It grows a bit tiresome, and as a result the story drags in places. For a film that demands its due praise, the ending tied nicely up in a bow does little to help that particular cause.
Overall Moonrise Kingdom is a beautifully shot and artful film, ambitious in it's imagery and quirky in it's delivery. It's greatest strength is the splendor and wonder of the island, a story in and of itself. While it has the nostalgic charm one might expect of an Anderson film, its overt reach for reverence is a bit heavy-handed, and ultimately weighs down this otherwise delightful story.
Reel Coolio Rating [http://www.reelcoolio.com/review/moonrise-kingdom-review/]: 3/5 Stars