Review of Moonrise Kingdom (2012) by Matthew F — 19 Mar 2014

This is a more contained Wes Anderson of sorts, leaving a lot of the cameos to a minimum and actually relying on a strong ensemble. The results are a slow start but once its up and running its a laugh a minute fun fest, routine Mr Anderson.

The story revolves around the occupants of an Island off the coast of new England, one day Sam, Gilman, decides to escape from scout camp and go and be with his one and only love Suzy, Hayward. Much to the dismay of Suzy's parents Murray and Macdormand.

The couple spend a brief amount of alone time together before all hell brakes loose and you have Bruce willis, Ed norton, tilda Swinton and Kietel chasing down these children all for differening reasons.

I wont spoil it but this is a very contained effort that is just as technically genius as it is well written and cast, not one member of the cast seem out of place. Even sam and suzy share an awkwardness at first, almost alienating as a child relationship is to older people, but this soon develops and were left with satisfying results.

Its not as show and tell as some of his previous efforts but Anderson manages to maintain a solid look throughout, messages are thick and layed on heavy and its a brilliant piece of cinema, my 2 gripes are that it takes a while to kick into gear and that near the end we seem like were treading over familair ground again and again.

Excellent effort, however not his finest moment.