There is no denying that “Moonrise Kingdom” is more of the same. Luckily here “the same” is so damned unique that it makes for righteous cinema. There is not one inch of this film that does not scream the fact that this is a Wes Anderson project. The auteur does not stretch himself here and neither adds or diminishes from his signature touches. All the quirk is here: The linear and symmetrical compositions, dysfunctional family units looking for connection and a deliberately paced dialogue that places the action seemingly in another universe. If you’re a fan, you will love it. If you are a detractor you will continue to fault his work as being too hipster, too false. I assume the detractors aren’t going to read this, of course, so I feel safe in stating that I hate the detractors. They smell and eat their own boogers.
Anderson has placed the action in 1965 and the nostalgic setting fits him well. The island of New Penzance is found off the New England cost and is home to the Khaki Scouts Troop 55. Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) runs a tight crew but it seems that one of his scout has flown the coup. Little Sam’s (Jared Gilman) tent is found empty with only a note left behind. Sam has resigned as a Khaki Scout. As none of his fellow scouts really like the precocious kid, only Scout Master Ward seems concerned by this news.
The Khaki leader enlists the service of the Island Police’s Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), a grizzled straight shooter who wants nothing more than to find the boy. Early in the investigation they discover that the search is for not one but two as young Sam has found true love in sweet Suzy (Kara Hayward), a local girl who is keen on leaving her oppressive parents (Anderson staple Bill Murray and Francis McDormand). “Moonrise Kingdom” is an innocent and charming love story that goes off down many trails of whimsy.
Anderson has made another children’s film that works as a companion piece to his “Fantastic Mr. Fox”. “Fox,” a stop-motion animated film based on a Roald Dahl book, has been the best fit for Anderson’s sensibilities. “Moonrise Kingdom” is virtually a live action cartoon that captures the wonder of puppy love.
The cast is all game for the festivities and many shine with the bizarre material. Newcomers Gilman and Hayward as our star-crossed lovers give incredible that ground the movie. No small feat for the young actors. There is a bright eyed sexuality explored that may be disconcerting to some but I found a purity in the material that works.
While Wes Anderson has become established as an independent voice of American Cinema, I only hope that he challenges himself one day. He has an attention to detail that is near Kubrick levels of obsession and his movies look and sound great. If only he could try something else for once much like his counterpart Paul Thomas Anderson has in the last few years with “There Will Be Blood” and “The Master”. Both are future masters, it’s just that one of them doesn’t seem secure in playing the same note each time out of the gate.
Special Features:
– A Look Inside Moonrise Kingdom
– Welcome to the Island of New Penzance: Bob Balaban narrates a series of guided tours from the locations of Moonrise Kingdom featuring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and Wes Anderson
– Set Tour with Bill Murray: Bill Murray personally takes viewers on a tour of the Moonrise Kingdom sets.