This movie is a weaker example of Wes Anderson’s directoral abilities, and holds a strange in-between status. Everything from the plot and dialogue, to the acting and cinematography is nothing special, and Wes Anderson’s distinctive style is muted here, likely because it’s his directoral debut. It’s cute and quirky, but isn’t firing on all cylinders.
Closest comparison: It’s like American Heist by way of Napoleon Dynamite.
Setting: Road Trip
Plot: Heist
Tone: Wes Anderson
This movie is predictably funny, sweet, quirky, and occasionally a bit harsh in the signature style of Wes Anderson. It’s an evolution of The Fantastic Mr. Fox visually, but the story is more classic rescue adventure fodder with some fantasy and sci-fi elements thrown in. Its quirkiness will impact audiences differently, but where Darjeeling Limited and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou had the quirkiness on full display Isle of Dogs relegates it more to the deeper levels of story and narrative structure.
Closest comparison: It’s like The Fantastic Mr. Fox with a more grounded story.
Setting: Near Future Sci-Fi
Plot: Adventure
Tone: Quirky
