REVIEW: MOONRISE KINGDOM
The summer of 2012 marks a successful return of popular actors! In May, we got the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air back, Mr. Smith, himself, and with "Moonrise Kingdom," the comeback of Edward Norton and Bill Murray. Murray was last heard in director Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" back in 2009, and even though his character is a bit of downer, it's still a treat to see him on the cinema. Norton, who's played many menacing, unpredictable roles in films like "American History X" and "Fight Club," has turned, shall we say, softer, by playing a nervous, smoking Khaki Scout Headmaster.
If all of this is an overabundance of quirkiness, you're in for the mother-load as "Moonrise Kingdom" finally got a wide release. The film's already broken a record, it only opened in 4 theaters initially, but still hauled in an impressive $167,000. Anderson has now produced a cult following if nothing else! As many times as people complain about hipsters (and yeah, I'm not crazy about them either), but I hope every scarf-wearing, nerd-glasses adorned, Starbucks-sipping one of them sees this gem of a film.
Even though I've only seen 2 of Anderson's movies, it's overtly evident that he has a particular style about him. The dolly shots (when the scene stays still, but the camera pans over), the admirably colorful palettes of film...I'm sure he could teach a class on all of his quirks alone. To call "Moonrise" quirky, however, would be to not fully understand it. While the cinema style is certainly, recognizably independent film making, the characters, as I've noted with "Mr. Fox" are just...well...funny. Not giggling funny, but full on guffawing hilarious! While Zooey Deschanel has become the poster child of independent film-making and quirkiness, she shouldn't. It should be Anderson, because he has this...this great consistency of his movies where Deschanel has splashed some into more mainstream fare. You can tell months of passionate writing and directing were put into this project, and the fact that it contains some of the best stars of the 20th century is a nice bonus.
And what an ensemble! The previously noted Murray and Norton are both above par in their roles, Murray occasionally lashing out into the mock-anger we've all seen him do on such movies like "What About Bob?" and "Meatballs," and Norton is fine (and calm, for once) as Scoutmaster Ward. When asked what his job is, he initially responds "math teacher," but afterwards quickly notes "Actually, change that...full time Scoutmaster." Frances McDormand is also sufficient in "Moonrise," as a subtly adulterous lawyer who calls her children to dinner with a bullhorn. One can just take a look on McDormand's face and tell that her Mrs. Bishop is a woman who's been through a lot, and frankly doesn't care.
Speaking of the ensemble, let's discuss the two biggest performances of the whole film, belonging to the troublesome orphan Sam (Jared Gilman) and rambunctious Suzy (Kara Hayward). Were the kids a dud (like you see so often in movies featuring children, no offense kids) "Moonrise" would've been thrown out of balance, but Sam and Suzy are pitch perfect. Depicting what a summer really is, an escape from reality for a short amount of time, Anderson films the kids at their most vulnerable; dancing, kissing, and, because they're quirky, reading to one another. He really captures the mind state of a child that age as well. When Sam asks one of the Khaki Scouts who comes searching for him after he escapes the camp why he doesn't like him, the boy simply answers "Well, 'cause everybody else does." Rightfully so Sam comes charging at him after that, but those words sting with familiarity. Sadly, kids that age are just mean to be mean, personified, recently with the middle-schoolers who bullied the bus monitor.
Another key element to note in Anderson's film is music. While it was featured in "Mr. Fox," it's practically part of the cast in "Moonrise." There are no Hollywood song staples to be found here (i.e., "Born to be Wild," "Bad to the Bone"), the odd but somehow appropriate score for such a film was enchanting, and hypnotic really. The score involves chanting occasionally, mostly by children. It's such an out-there thing to do, but fits well with the independent cinema vibe Anderson throws out there.
So what else do you need?!?! While I know this isn't going to be like last year's indie surprise (thanks "Midnight in Paris!") I hope it goes on to gain Anderson recognition with the mainstream, even though I'm positive he won't conform. Great acting, fantastic score, blunt and comical writing, and best of all a love story (and boy, do they really love each other) that makes the case whenever kids are involved, and they're separated: parents just don't understand. Well, I understand that "Moonrise Kingdom" is one of the year's best films.
Rating: 3.5/4 stars
P.S. Watch out for an Anderson-alum cameo in the latter half of the film! It was my favorite performance of the whole film, and he was only onscreen for about 5 minutes! (Hint: He voiced Ash in "Fantastic Mr. Fox")
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| Welcome back, Norton |
Even though I've only seen 2 of Anderson's movies, it's overtly evident that he has a particular style about him. The dolly shots (when the scene stays still, but the camera pans over), the admirably colorful palettes of film...I'm sure he could teach a class on all of his quirks alone. To call "Moonrise" quirky, however, would be to not fully understand it. While the cinema style is certainly, recognizably independent film making, the characters, as I've noted with "Mr. Fox" are just...well...funny. Not giggling funny, but full on guffawing hilarious! While Zooey Deschanel has become the poster child of independent film-making and quirkiness, she shouldn't. It should be Anderson, because he has this...this great consistency of his movies where Deschanel has splashed some into more mainstream fare. You can tell months of passionate writing and directing were put into this project, and the fact that it contains some of the best stars of the 20th century is a nice bonus.
And what an ensemble! The previously noted Murray and Norton are both above par in their roles, Murray occasionally lashing out into the mock-anger we've all seen him do on such movies like "What About Bob?" and "Meatballs," and Norton is fine (and calm, for once) as Scoutmaster Ward. When asked what his job is, he initially responds "math teacher," but afterwards quickly notes "Actually, change that...full time Scoutmaster." Frances McDormand is also sufficient in "Moonrise," as a subtly adulterous lawyer who calls her children to dinner with a bullhorn. One can just take a look on McDormand's face and tell that her Mrs. Bishop is a woman who's been through a lot, and frankly doesn't care.
Speaking of the ensemble, let's discuss the two biggest performances of the whole film, belonging to the troublesome orphan Sam (Jared Gilman) and rambunctious Suzy (Kara Hayward). Were the kids a dud (like you see so often in movies featuring children, no offense kids) "Moonrise" would've been thrown out of balance, but Sam and Suzy are pitch perfect. Depicting what a summer really is, an escape from reality for a short amount of time, Anderson films the kids at their most vulnerable; dancing, kissing, and, because they're quirky, reading to one another. He really captures the mind state of a child that age as well. When Sam asks one of the Khaki Scouts who comes searching for him after he escapes the camp why he doesn't like him, the boy simply answers "Well, 'cause everybody else does." Rightfully so Sam comes charging at him after that, but those words sting with familiarity. Sadly, kids that age are just mean to be mean, personified, recently with the middle-schoolers who bullied the bus monitor.
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| The film's heart |
So what else do you need?!?! While I know this isn't going to be like last year's indie surprise (thanks "Midnight in Paris!") I hope it goes on to gain Anderson recognition with the mainstream, even though I'm positive he won't conform. Great acting, fantastic score, blunt and comical writing, and best of all a love story (and boy, do they really love each other) that makes the case whenever kids are involved, and they're separated: parents just don't understand. Well, I understand that "Moonrise Kingdom" is one of the year's best films.
Rating: 3.5/4 stars
P.S. Watch out for an Anderson-alum cameo in the latter half of the film! It was my favorite performance of the whole film, and he was only onscreen for about 5 minutes! (Hint: He voiced Ash in "Fantastic Mr. Fox")
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