Film: Isle of Dogs

GENRE: Animated Adventure

RATING: PG-13 for animated violence
RUNTIME: 2 hour and 41 minutes

STARRING: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Argo, Trumbo)

Koyu Rankin (newcomer), Edward Norton (Moonrise Kingdom)

DIRECTOR: Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rushmore, etc.)

WRITER: Anderson (Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, etc.)

PLOT: A boy looks for his dog that was exiled along will all the other dogs in Japan.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am in love with Wes Anderson films.

STORY STUFF: I always find that Wes Anderson’s scripts are engaging and full of whismy. This one is no exception. Colourful characters, detailed lists, clever dialogue and fun flashbacks. It’s all there. Everything you expect from a Wes Anderson film. So I love it. But it might not be for everyone. Oh, and it's also a story about deportation, which seems relevant for today.

ACTING STUFF: Along with Cranston and Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum and Bob Balaban provide the voices for the main dogs. They are fantastic. Surprisingly, I enjoyed Goldblum’s gossipy Duke the best.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: The animation is incredible. It would say it even outshines Mr. Fox. The hair on the dogs (and their constant humorous coughs) is wonderfully detailed. I loved the way they animated the dog brawls and the many different artistic touches throughout. I thought the songs could have been a bit better though. I usually love his soundtracks.

VERDICT: Four and a half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You like Wes Anderson, even if you hate dogs.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Avengers: Infinity War