We all know Wes Anderson for his quirky and beautiful movies like “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” Some say he is a legend, genius or prodigy, and I truly believe all of these things are true. We know Anderson has mastered the art of stop-motion from his film “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, but his new movie, “Isle of Dogs,” takes this skill to a new level.
This peculiar film is about an outbreak of dog flu in Megasaki City, Japan. All of the canines are exiled to trash island to prevent the spread of this disease. Atari, a 12-year-old boy, and nephew of the evil mayor Kobayashi, sets out to find his body-guard dog “Spots” on trash island. On the outside, this film looks like a sweet story about a boy trying to find his dog, but in reality, it tells the story of unexpected friendships, marginalizing the other and good overcoming the bad.
There are several plot lines to follow throughout the film. There is the rescue of “Spots,” the researchers trying to find a cure to the sickness and the student activists who oppose the rule of Kobayashi. All of the storylines meld together to create a perfect, full circle, resolution.
The most amazing part of this film is the fact that it is stop-motion. This is not an easy feat to accomplish, but Anderson has mastered the art. The behind-the-scenes of this process is mind-boggling and equally as amazing as the film itself.
If you haven’t seen “Isle of Dogs” yet, now is the time to do so. Transport yourself a dystopian Japan, fall in love with Atari and be prepared to join him on his quest to find “Spots.”
Photos Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures