Were that possible, and were we (or Review’s editor, the “dog lover”) able to assess only the dog-related content, Isle of Dogs would easily qualify for perfect ten. But we do not review dogs at ACRN. As expected, the real film is just as kitschy as it should be in any other Wes Anderson flick and just as fun as his previous works though a few less extreme close-ups on disturbing clay faces with disturbing teeth would have sufficed.
The entire plot revolves around a little boy who tries in every possible way to save the dog from being left on Trash Island. Dogs were placed in exile on the island because of the outbreak of “dog flu” and the “snout fever” which by the way just translates to some incredibly cute dog sneezes sprinkled in the movie. When Atari, the main character in the movie, attempts to rescue his dog, Spot, the authorities on the mainland are busy stifling the dogsupporters. This is indeed the most outrageous aspect of this film. Since when would a majority of them want to get rid of all the fluffykindled and cuddly dogs in the world?
And to look further for cut(s) and tries to click occasions with dogs, the animation is very respectably a grade above. Whenever one watches a stop-motion film in any category, there is bound to be some undue envy because of the effort that has gone into its making. Isle of Dogs is even worse as it is now sharing the record with Kubo and the Two STrings for the most stop motion feature film ever. All these models were made and positioned by hand for every single one of this movie’s frames. Just imagining all these possible blunders is such a high level of pressure, to be able to watch such a gorgeous movie as this is simply unbelievable.
The film’s one dominant flaw is rather concerning. It’s a well made film full of lovely and that signature Anderson’s off kilter humor, but it suffers from what can be termed as Hollywood Janus. The movie features so many cringing and quite unnecessary romantic love stories within. The main dog has a sidekick dog in one scene at the beginning of the film, and without warning, they end the film ‘dog married’ Top Dog. It’s okay, the dogs are good boys, Wes. They do not have the need to court! Even the kid is in a romance. He is twelve and with the female lead who he has never even seen or talked to and suddenly ends up sharing a love interest with. It makes no sense within the context of the pacing of the movie, the way character arcs are built or rather progression of the plot as a whole. All it did is take an action packed escape and deftly halts it on the point so that dogs can now make doggy eff sex jokes.
Another approach to this narrative method might also upset some readers. English is only spoken by the dogs and the character of Greta Gerwig, all the other people are Japanese who are dubbed by the reporter in the film and sometimes by some accessories that are used in the film. Even so, Atari, the supporting human cast, the villains, are all about the wonderful language which is none other than the Japanese language. With such moving subtitles and translation gags as that you may want to give this one a miss.Isle of Dogs
With this in mind this film will be yet another success in the long line of Wes Anderson movies. It has everything the devoted audience of his fans craves for: centered composition, yellow color, awkwardly funny Bill Murray. But even people who would not trade their left kidney for a chance to view another Anderson’s film will enjoy it because of its numerous jokes and a very sweet and warm story about a boy in love with his dog and willing to do anything for it. It isn’t rocket science after all, almost everyone has a soft spot for dogs.
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