Film Review: MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)

Director: Wes Anderson
Writers: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
Running time: 94 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
UK Release date: 25^th May 2012

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 6^th April 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is another of those films that had a bit of a mixed reception on release; generally liked by the public but it had a bit of a mixed reception from the critics (here in the UK at least). I must admit it did put me in mind of a great British film; ‘Son of Rambow’; worth checking out if you haven’t seen it. I have to admit I did enjoy this one, it’s very quirky without being all ‘quirk’ & no story (those that have seen it will know what I mean). Here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

It’s 1965 and when young Boy Scout Sam (Jared Gilman) decides to leave camp, Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) immediately calls in the local police, Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis). They begin to search the island they are on and it soon transpires that young Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward) is also missing. Her parents, Walt (Bill Murray) and Laura (Frances McDormand) discover that the pair have been writing to each other for about a year. It was all planned to the finest detail. Both children have had difficult upbringings, Sam because his parents had died and he had been brought up in foster care and Suzy because one of her parents was having an affair. It seems these misfits belong together but their about to be discovered… Don’t worry; there’s more to come. Social Services (Tilda Swinton) are about to get involved and Sam’s fellow Scouts also have plans for the pair. Add to this an approaching storm and it’s about to get very interesting.

I love the look and feel of this film; yes, it’s got a lot of quirkiness, but that’s not allowed to overrun the narrative too much. The soundtrack also adds to the enjoyment in a way; it becomes part of the world these people inhabit. The very black and white sensibilities of children are explored here; everything it taken as a matter of fact and accepted without question. I found it quite refreshing in a way; it made a nice change from the brainless comedies I’m usually subjected to. All the performances were excellent with my top awards going to the two youngsters; Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman. Well worth a look if you haven’t seen it and (probably) well worth a re-watch if you have!

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 7.9/10 (based on 106,963 votes when this review was written).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1748122/

MetaScore: 84/100: (Based on 43 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 217 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 87/100 (based on 104,991 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moonrise_kingdom/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Scout Master Ward: Jiminy cricket, he flew the coop!

Walt Bishop: Holy Christ, what am I looking at here?
Laura Bishop: He does watercolours. Mostly landscapes but a few nudes.
Walt Bishop: Did she sit for this?

Laura Bishop: We women are emotional.
Suzy: I hate you.
Laura Bishop: Don't say “hate”.
Suzy: Why not? I mean it.
Laura Bishop: You think you mean it, in this moment. You're trying to hurt me.
Suzy: Exactly.

Sam: Listen to some reason. I don't like you. You don't like me. So, why don't you just let us disappear?
Redford: Well, it's tempting, but we can't allow it.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoonriseKingdom
Official Site: http://www.moonrisekingdom.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009)

Co-Writer/Director: Wes Anderson
Running time: 87 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Animation/Adventure/Comedy
UK Release date: 23rd October 2009

Watched on DVD Sunday 5th June 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Over the years many tales by Roald Dahl have been adapted for the screen, both for TV and for the big screen. This is the latest big-screen adaptation of one of his works. For me, while it was quite an engaging tale I felt it wasn’t made for an audience outside the United States. This is not a criticism, it just seemed to me that it had all become a little too ‘Americanised’ (if that’s a word). The stop-motion animation, the sets and everything technical about it was very well done but I felt the characters had lost the mystique they had when I read this as a youngster. I will always now hear George Clooney as Mr. Fox and to me that’s all wrong (I explain why later). Here’s a very brief summary of the plot, and then some more of my thoughts.

Mr. Fox loves to steal chickens, ducks, anything he can eat or drink really. Unfortunately this is a dangerous business and his wife persuades him to find a safer occupation when she falls pregnant. So he takes up writing for a local newspaper. Several years later he decides it’s time they moved and so they go to live in the trunk of a tree. This affords him a great view of three local farms, owned by Franklin Bean, Walter Boggis and Nathan Bunce. Unable to resist the temptation he enlists the help of Kylie Sven Opossum and raids all three farms. The farmers aren’t going to take this lying down and Mr. Fox and his family, and in fact the whole community, find themselves trapped. Can Mr. Fox find a cunning way to save the day? As usual, my contract with the Spoiler Police prevents me telling you here.

I love the animation of this film, I always think stop-motion gives a very unique look and it works really well here. Although I have a slight dislike for the accents, to me Mr. Fox should be a very devious upper class English accent, but hey, you can’t always get what you want as the Rolling Stones once said. Anyhow, a decent effort from the voice talents of; George Clooney as Mr. Fox, Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox, Bill Murray as Badger, Michael Gambon as Franklin Bean and even Jarvis Cocker who gave us a song as Petey.

So, in conclusion, visually, it’s a treat, I love the look and feel of the film. Plot wise, well it’s based on a Roald Dhal story so you can’t go too far wrong there. I liked the choice of music in the film, a couple of Beach Boys numbers were very welcome. I think if it wasn’t for the voices I would have enjoyed it more, but it’s worth seeing for the animation.

My Score: 6.9/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0432283/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1197696-fantastic_mr_fox/
Official Site: http://www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com/
Trailer: