Moonrise Kingdom [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2012]

Have you ever looked at someone and, in an instant, felt a powerful connection to them? Something that made you want to abandon your life and run away with them? Not me, but the same can’t be said for two teens at the center of the latest comedy from the mind of Wes Anderson. It’s 1965 and, on a small, picturesque island in New England, there are two very unhappy children. One of them, Sam Sandusky (played by Jared Gilman), is an orphan visiting Camp Ivanhoe with his troop of wilderness-oriented Khaki Scouts. The other, Suzy Bishop (played by Kara Hayward), lives on the island with her parents, Walt and Laura (played by veteran actors Bill Murray and Frances McDormand) and three younger brothers. Walt and Laura (Murray and McDormand) are both attorneys who are struggling to maintain both their personal and their professional relationship. One year before the beginning of our story, Sam and Suzy meet backstage during a play which Sam is attending and Suzy is acting in. Despite the brevity of that encounter, the two find themselves inexorably drawn to each other and exchange letters during their separation. They vow to run away together the next summer. We fast-forward to ’65 and Sam has vanished from Camp Ivanhoe and done it without alerting his scout master, Randy Ward (played by Edward Norton) or any of his fellow scouts. The search is well underway before the Sheriff, Captain Sharp (played by Bruce Willis) is made aware of the fact that Suzy has vanished as well. When the young lovers meet again, Sam has brought a multitude of camping necessities while Suzy brought books, her cat, records and a record player. They hike and camp for days until finding a deserted cove and make camp, naming their new home Moonrise Kingdom. Obviously, there is more to the story. There’s the revelation that two of the adult characters are involved in a clandestine relationship of their own, additional details of Sam’s life story are revealed, and his eventual confrontation with his former scout troop who see it as their responsibility to bring Sam back using any means necessary, including lethal. All this culminates in a scene that had me on the edge of my seat. More than likely, this film, like some of director Wes Anderson’s previous efforts, will fail to resonate with the viewing public. I, however, enjoyed it a great deal.

Have you ever looked at someone and, in an instant, felt a powerful connection to them? Something that made you want to abandon your life and run away with them? Not me, but the same can’t be said for two teens at the center of the latest comedy from the mind of Wes Anderson. It’s 1965 and, on a small, picturesque island in New England, there are two very unhappy children. One of them, Sam Sandusky (played by Jared Gilman), is an orphan visiting Camp Ivanhoe with his troop of wilderness-oriented Khaki Scouts. The other, Suzy Bishop (played by Kara Hayward), lives on the island with her parents, Walt and Laura (played by veteran actors Bill Murray and Frances McDormand) and three younger brothers. Walt and Laura (Murray and McDormand) are both attorneys who are struggling to maintain both their personal and their professional relationship. One year before the beginning of our story, Sam and Suzy meet backstage during a play which Sam is attending and Suzy is acting in. Despite the brevity of that encounter, the two find themselves inexorably drawn to each other and exchange letters during their separation. They vow to run away together the next summer. We fast-forward to ’65 and Sam has vanished from Camp Ivanhoe and done it without alerting his scout master, Randy Ward (played by Edward Norton) or any of his fellow scouts. The search is well underway before the Sheriff, Captain Sharp (played by Bruce Willis) is made aware of the fact that Suzy has vanished as well. When the young lovers meet again, Sam has brought a multitude of camping necessities while Suzy brought books, her cat, records and a record player. They hike and camp for days until finding a deserted cove and make camp, naming their new home Moonrise Kingdom. Obviously, there is more to the story. There’s the revelation that two of the adult characters are involved in a clandestine relationship of their own, additional details of Sam’s life story are revealed, and his eventual confrontation with his former scout troop who see it as their responsibility to bring Sam back using any means necessary, including lethal. All this culminates in a scene that had me on the edge of my seat. More than likely, this film, like some of director Wes Anderson’s previous efforts, will fail to resonate with the viewing public. I, however, enjoyed it a great deal.

I own and enjoy all of Wes Anderson's films, and I would say that this is my favorite movie he has made since The Royal Tenenbaums. Moonrise Kingdom boasts the combination of peculiarity and heart audiences have come to expect from Anderson, and this is arguably the sweetest tale he has spun thus far. While the two children at the center of the film are certainly the most endearing characters, Edward Norton steals the show with his performance of a character who is so earnest and well-meaning that he is even likable when he is utterly failing. It is also refreshing to see Bruce Willis truly acting in a film again, portraying his character in a way that is largely subdued but still emotionally rich. The cinematography is this film is quite memorable. Anderson includes more shots of gorgeous, natural locations than I can remember being in any of his other projects. Once again, he makes sure the music of the film is enjoyable; the use of Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" is particularly noteworthy. Perhaps the greatest strength of this film is simply its overall impact. Each time I watch it, I enjoy both the mood and the headspace it puts me in. Beyond the feature film, this release has very little to offer. Anderson fans who have grown used to the Criterion editions of his movies will be disappointed to discover that there is only a small number of special features on this disc, most of which appear to be web shorts used to promote Moonrise Kingdom's theatrical release.

Any fan of Wes Andersen films will know what to expect. Witty dialogue, unique camera movements and an assortment of characters brilliantly misguided and yet completely loveable. This time around the filmmaker lends his hand to one of the world's oldest thematic stories; man's quest to find himself, and eternal love. Done so through the goggles of misunderstood adolescence, the story takes place among a small island wherein a teenage boy and girl each runaway from their families to rendezvous and escape. Amid their romantic voyage an omniscient narrator tells of a famous and tragic storm which crashes the village community, and the local law enforcement, community members and families search to find them. Funny, heartwarming and sometimes isolating, a film well worth investing. 4 Stars!

Finally a Wes Anderson movie I can get behind. Full of the usual quirky characters, beautifully shot scenes, and child actors who are real naturals. This movie made me feel good after watching it, unlike other Anderson movies, which usually left me feeling a bit unimpressed. I highly recommend this gem of a film. I rated this release "excellent" for the quality of the film. I found the DVD extras for be sorely lacking, the featurettes are too short and a commentary would have been appreciated, though I don't know if Anderson does them, too bad. Buy this for the film, not the extras, but do buy it, its great.

Having seen every Wes Anderson movie, I can tell you this is one of his bests. However, at this point in his career, he has mastered the visual art he has so desired and if you are watching this DVD on an flat-screen tv, you will notice that it's a bit stretched in terms of detail. This bothered me to the point where I actual bought this on Blu-Ray, but I'm also a lover of movies so don't let me steer you wrong. If you like coming of age stories and or Wes Anderson, you cannot be let down by this quirky flick.

Wes Anderson films are amongst the best out there. Yes, that is an argument, but Criterion agrees as they have made editions for each of his films up until TGBH. I personally love this version. It is beautifully put together and it is an experience to just open and enjoy all of the materials packed in. The movie, of course, looks great in all of its Andersonian symmetry and even better in Blu-ray.

I won't give away the plot, but I'll say that if you like Wes Anderson's other movies, you will definitely enjoy this one. Quirky and funny as always, there is also plenty of heart in this movie. The two leads are unknown actors, but they are wonderful and genuine. And they are surrounded by familiar faces in all the supporting roles -- Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Ed Norton, and more. It's very likely you'll want to see it again as soon as it's over. Highly recommended.