Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Review

Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Wes Anderson
4/5

This odd ball comedy is quirky and fun, citing director and writer Wes Anderson's return to his style of The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) with this heartfelt and funny film. The story is set in 1965 and is beautifully stylised focusing on the romance between two outsider children on a small island. The film features big name stars, including Bruce Willis as the island police officer "Captain Sharp", Edward Norton (Fight Club) playing the hilarious and cute Scout Master Ward as a sort of ironic parody of the character of Sgt Hartman from Full Metal Jacket (1968). The film also features Bill Murray who has appeared in other Wes Anderson films including The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Life Aquatic (2004), Rushmore (1998) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009). Frances McDormand (Fargo & Burn After Reading) plays the quirky Laura Bishop and Tilda Swinton plays the strange and funny "Social Services". Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore & Bored to Death) also features. But among these great actors the heart of this film is truly the two unknown child actors playing Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward).  This film is incredibly enjoyable and Anderson brings a dry wit to this childhood adventure story with both the wisdom and melodrama of adulthood used to comedic effect. Moonrise Kingdom really reminds me a lot of The Royal Tenenbaums where each frame is an illustration or artwork, and the tracking long shots are great. There are many intertextual references giving nods to Full Metal Jacket (1987), The Great Escape (1963) and more. After the disappointment I felt The Life Aquatic (2004) was, this film is unique, quirky, funny and at times poignant. To accompany the excellent cinematography, acting and score the writing is sharp and witty with a screenplay by Wes Anderson and co-writer Roman Coppola (The Darjeeling Limited). Overall a great odd ball romance and comedy, and it is a kind of nostalgic kids movie for adults.