A pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them.
The biggest coup here is that Anderson has finally managed to anchor his trademark whimsy with a sincere and heady romanticism, and by the end, you may even be reaching for your immaculately embroidered handkerchief (or neck scarf) to wipe away the tears.
To some, Moonrise Kingdom may be nothing more than a soufflé of strangeness, but it rises superbly.
Has quirky charm to spare.
Wes Anderson aficionados are bound to warm to Moonrise Kingdom. Non-fans may take more persuading, but should enjoy themselves in the end.
Even at 94 minutes, the film feels over long (and you’re left thinking it might have worked better as a short) and its whimsical nature won’t be to everyone’s taste. But such is its beauty and belief in its own universe, Anderson devotees will be over the moon.
Fleet, funny, impeccably orchestrated: whimsical Wes returns on top of his game. Non-fans might call it over-familiar comfort cinema but with the craft so loving and new elements so well-integrated, his singular pitch remains a thing to cherish.
Moonrise Kingdom may not prove Anderson's most substantial or enduring film, but as a fanciful summer excursion, it's a treat.
A lot of people try to make films like Wes Anderson, but Moonrise Kingdom is a reminder of why no-one can touch him when he’s on form.
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, visual gags that score the bullseye every time, try a walk on the Anderson side this weekend.
It’s never hugely funny or moving - Anderson’s movies are too stylised and detached for that - but it has charm and a lovely performance from Willis as a weary local cop who’s never found true love.
To some, Moonrise Kingdom may be nothing more than a souffle of strangeness, but it rises superbly.
Repeat viewings are essential, just to soak up all the amazing background detail.
Will conquer your heart.
Some have been calling Moonrise Kingdom a return to form, but [Anderson's] last few pictures surely haven't been so different for him to have anything to "return" to.
Moonrise Kingdom is a beautiful, self-contained idyll. Like many holiday locations, you wouldn’t want to live there, but a mini-break from the norm can be a real tonic.
An extremely funny tale of flight and pursuit ensues, tearing the community apart and then reuniting it more firmly.
If this move is the first of many creative tinkerings with life’s bleaker aspects, the human connection will displace those doubts over overused methods, leaving any future Anderson production as enjoyable as the rest.
As funny, bittersweet and as distinct as you’d expect from Wes Anderson, a director who helps you know you are not alone. Terrific performances from sprogs to stars and a lovely sense of the sorrow and joy of growing up.
Wes Anderson dishes up four quirky bites of Moonrise Kingdom
Cameo, Edinburgh from Friday July 20, 2012, until Thursday August 23, 2012. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/
macrobert, Stirling from Friday August 17, 2012, until Wednesday August 22, 2012. More info: www.macrobert.org
RSS feed of Cinema reviews