The Film
Director Wes Anderson has carved out a weird little niche for himself. There are certain things that viewers have come to expect with his films, including quirky characters, a killer soundtrack, and of course, Bill Murray.
Murray is just one of the many A-listers to appear in Moonrise Kingdom, another funky notch in Anderson's resume. It's not his best, but it certainly has one of his best casts, with Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman and Bob Balaban all showing up in supporting roles.
Yes, none of the larger-named actors is the main focus here. Instead, this is the tale of orphan Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and the tortured Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward), two tweens who fall in love in New England in the mid-‘60s and decide to run away together. Thanks to Sam's Khaki Scout skills, the mismatched duo survives for several days on the fictional island of New Penzance, camping out in a little area that they name "Moonrise Kingdom."
Want to take another trip to the island? Check out Tom Fugalli's theatrical review of Moonrise Kingdom.
The Picture
All of Wes Anderson's movies have a certain style and Moonrise Kindgom is no different. That said, this 1.85:1 image has the dimmest color palette of the director's resume. There are some standout reds and yellows, but it's far from a demo-worthy image. It just doesn't have a great level of detail, but does deliver its time period and the director's vision quite nicely.
The Sound
Wes Anderson is known for putting together some eclectic soundtracks. That's pretty evident from the beginning of this film, with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track taking advantage of the full soundfield. Some thunder is also thrown in for good measure, and pops up elsewhere throughout the movie. In general, water plays a pretty strong role in the surround sound featured here, with storms, rain and rushing water running rampant throughout the track.
The Extras
Bill Murray apparently makes everything better -- even this release's weak selection of extras. He's featured throughout the slim selection. There's a piece that was released on the web before the film's release that has Murray recapping the cast and his limited view of the production, which includes his take on his patchwork pants. There's also a 3-minute promo and a series of four shorts under the title "Welcome to the Island of New Penzance," to highlight Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Wes Anderson.
Final Thoughts
Trying to sum up Moonrise Kingdom into a few sentences sounds like someone's bad summer vacation recap. However, Wes Anderson relishes in those mundane moments, making them something truly special. While the film is certainly not his best, it's still a must-see, if not just for the casting. The Blu-ray isn't close to being demo material, but is something that Anderson fans will certainly want to pick up.
Product Details
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