Perhaps because of their dry, whimsical, bittersweet wistfulness, Wes Anderson's eccentric films (including The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Fantastic Mr. Fox) are often a breath of cinematic fresh air. On an idyllic island off New England's Narragansett Bay in September 1965, two alienated, rebellious 12-year-olds fall in love and decide to run away together. Orphaned outcast Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) is tired of being bullied by Khaki Scout Troop 55 at Camp Ivanhoe, while sullen Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward) peers through binoculars, eager to escape from her younger brothers, morose father Walt (Bill Murray) and harried mother Laura (Frances McDormand), who is having an affair with the local sheriff, Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis). As intrepid, idealistic Sam and Suzy hike through the rolling fields and craggy ravines—following a Native American harvest migration trail, and setting up their sanctuary camp on a deserted beach by a magical cove that they dub Moonrise Kingdom—a violent storm is brewing off-shore. Meanwhile, their alarming absence initiates an exhaustive search by the colorfully caricatured adults: Sharp, Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton), and a woman known only as Social Services (Tilda Swinton). Like Benjamin Britten's The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra—often referenced here—Anderson creates distinctive component parts which are then artfully blended into a winning whole. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “Welcome to the Island of New Penzance” cast featurettes (6 min.), “A Look Inside Moonrise Kingdom” (3 min.), a set tour with costar Bill Murray (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is the BD-Live function, and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a small extras package for a winning film.] (S. Granger)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Sept. 22, 2015—Criterion, 94 min., PG-13, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 2012's Moonrise Kingdom features an excellent transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition. Extras include audio commentary (by director Wes Anderson, costars Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Jason Schwartzman, and co-writer Roman Coppola), the production featurettes “Exploring the Set” (17 min.), “Storyboard Animatics and Narrator Tests” (9 min.), “Auditions” (4 min.), “Welcome to New Penzance” (4 min.), “Miniatures” (2 min.), “Eleven iPhone Videos by Edward Norton” (21 min.), “Cousin Ben” (2 min.), “Benjamin Britton's Noye's Fludde” (2 min.),and a set tour with Murray (3 min.), an animated books segment (4 min.), a trailer, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien, commentary from young writers, and a map of New Penzance Island and other ephemera. Bottom line: a definitive edition of this Anderson favorite.]
Check out our essay on children's book influences in Moonrise Kingdom