A Masterpiece has Arrived

Everyone rejoice, the best summer movie has arrived, and no its not Prometheus or some other blockbuster film that a major studio poured hundreds of millions of dollars in. Its mellow mood combined with creativity only a director such as Wes Anderson can have. Yes, this movie is a work of art, rivaled only by the best of Van Gough or Picasso. Moonrise Kingdom is a masterpiece that defies convention (in a good way) and is arguably one of the best independent films ever. Everything clicked perfectly the unique directorial style, the color correction, the actor’s performances, and bizarre but memorable scenes that forced the audience to laugh.

Wes Anderson’s directorial style was perfect for this movie. The shots that included a lot of dead space seemed natural even though it a “mistake” by conventional means. The quick cuts that indicated a fight scene was only necessary due to the fact children were fighting. His style seemed perfect for every scene in the movie and in combination with the rich color in the film that highlighted the “summer feel” and the landscape, the movie was well positioned to enhance the other aspects of the film.

Since this is a Wes Anderson film, you will be sure to find Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola, and Eric Chase Anderson. However, a couple of new actors decided to join the cast as wells such as Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Kara Hayward, Jared Gilman, and Tilda Swinton. Most of the acting roles were easy to play due to the fact that almost every character was a Khaki scout. Most of the child actors only had to act like themselves. The supporting cast gave a solid performance. However, the audience’s attention was mostly directed at young Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman. Surprisingly, they played their roles well. They played disillusioned, in-love children who hate their circumstances in life unless they are together. They completely convinced of their emotions, and it reminded the audience of a young Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio in Romeo and Juliet. It wasn’t at their level, but the level of intimacy between the two was very mature. Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Bruce Willis gave great performances, and they were also the only adults in the movie that were “good.”

The bizarre scenes were probably the most memorable/ cutest aspects in the movie. The scenes were the scouts began hunting Hayward and Gilman or the time when the scouts decide to save Hayward and Gilman in the tree house. The scenes were very cute and funny, but it was intriguing. All of these scenes and the plot of the movie seem to be directed towards a more serious film. However, Wes Anderson wanted to hint at disillusioned adults using their younger counterparts to make a deeper film.

From great directing and acting to deep messages, this film truly has it all. This is one of the best films of the summer.