Report Card---"Moonrise Kingdom"

"Moonrise Kingdom" is a classic teenager Coming-of Age story.
Now, class, what director excelled at this type of film, far better than anyone else?
That's right. John Hughes.
We lost John Hughes way too soon, and until "Moonrise Kingdom", I never saw anyone
even attempt to emulate John Hughes' extraordinary directorial style.
But Wes Anderson, the director of "Moonrise Kingdom", not only attempts it, he succeeds beyond anybody's reasonable expectations.
And it is evident almost immediately.
As a result, I fell in love with this movie within the first five minutes.
And I never fell out of love with it.
Anderson, as John Hughes before him, told his story with the camera.
Not so much with the script.
He made brilliant choices all along the way.
That he was not even nominated for Best Director is the biggest travesty of all.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Overwhelmingly.
A+.

Compelling even?

Absolutely
A+.

Is it controversial?

It's nor really about controversy.
No Grade.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely. And I understand that it was very personal. Drawn from Anderson's life.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

It is unsurpassed storytelling.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

For the most part. Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, and Frances McDormand are the adults.
I kept having the feeling that Willis and Murray should have switched parts.
Murray's part is almost irredeemingly oppressive and downbeat. It made you wonder why he took the part. He usually plays the adorable one. But that part went to
Bruce Willis. Something was a little out of whack. But boy, was it all well-played and well-shot.
B+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect, and perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

No on predictable, and yes on surprising you.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

It certainly lingers with you.
A.

Is it funny?

It's not really what it's about, but it has it's moments.
B+.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Easily.
A.

Is it impressive ?

It continually bowls you over.

Overall grade: A+.

My third favorite movie this year so far, and easily the best directed movie since
we lost John Hughes.


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