Review of Isle of Dogs (2018) by Sinead K — 29 Mar 2018

I really wanted to like this movie, especially after seeing the great viewer reviews, but I honestly couldn't and I was actively willing the film to end earlier than it did, such was the dislike. I've seen The Fantastic Mr Fox, which I didn't like either, and I can see similarities in approach but it's just such a fragmented movie, no real warm emotional core to it, no strong plot arc or particularly likeable characters.

There are some good jokes from the pack of dogs but to be honest you see most of those in the trailer anyway. And the obvious social commentary makes you want to roll your eyes. Parading them in your film in an atypical way doesn't suddenly make it a masterpiece.

And to be honest the whole message seems a bit skewed by the fact that the resolution of the movie is for the ostracised dogs to return to owners who it seems didn't care much for them in the first place and to once again become their obedient pets.

I don't think this film ever really knew what exactly it was doing and it shows, especially during the ultra quick and messy end act. Wry jokes and witty quips only get you so far. To be fair though, the animation was amazing.