DVD Review: Moonrise Kingdom

Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman

Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton
Genre(s): Comedy; Drama; Romance
DVD Release Date: October 26, 2012
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Typically, when you see that a certain film has a 94 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, you assume that movie will be fantastic; you expect it to wow you. But Wes Anderson's latest, Moonrise Kingdom, is just...okay. There is really nothing particularly innovative about the movie. There's nothing particularly interesting about the movie, nothing that makes you want to brag about it to your friends. However, it is not terrible either, which makes it all the more disappointing, because it could have been so much more than mediocre.

Moonrise Kingdom has the feel of a comedy, but there are few -- if any -- laugh-out-loud moments. Additionally, it is occasionally difficult to discern when one is meant to laugh; moments that may be meant to be dramatic often come across, instead, as slightly comical. I am surprised that the script was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, as there is nothing special about it. I suppose I can comprehend as to why Academy voters loved it: the story of how these two twelve-year-old fall in love is interesting...ish. Anderson may have been attempting to insert some bits of originality by putting the narrator not only onscreen and visible, but making him a part of the cast who interacts with the others. I found this distracting and very, very odd.

Fortunately, promising newcomers Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman -- as the two pre-teen lovebirds -- are believable enough. It is a bummer that such a steller supporting cast was not given more to do. That, however, does not mean they are not effective in their roles. I particularly enjoyed Tilda Swinton's brief role as "Social Services." Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and others must have found something unique in the script; otherwise, they would not have committed to making the film.

I was expecting so much more from Moonrise Kingdom. I wanted to like it. But there is so little to it that it is hard to invest oneself in the story. I suppose it is worth watching, if only to see a group of Oscar-winning and nominated-performers having fun. Otherwise, you will need to pass.

Grade: B-

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