From the trailer, you’ll imagine that this film is gonna be a quirky one. Then, right after I finished downloading started watching it, I knew that it’s rather to be an ethnique one. “Moonrise Kingdom” is a Wes Anderson’s work after his latest live-action film release, “The Darjeeling Limited”, on last 2007. He didn’t only direct it, but also wrote the screenplay together with Roman Coppola, whom he also collaborated with in writing “The Darjeeling Limited”. Some who have seen its poster will presumably think that “Moonrise Kingdom” is a film about kids. Is it true?

Most of the cast are, indeed, kids. The whole story itself centers on two kids. A young khaki scoutboy named Sam Shakusky (played by Jared Gilman) fell in love with an emotionally-disturbed young girl named Suzy Bishop (played by Kara Hayward) when they first met at the backstage in a church drama. They fleed from their places to spend times together, which makes the local party like Scout Master Ward (played by Edward Norton), Captain Sharp (played by Bruce Willis), and Mr. and Mrs. Bishop (played by Bill Murray and Frances McDormand) panic and find them all around the land.

"Poems don't always have to rhyme, you know.

They're just supposed to be creative." - Sam

Set on an island in New England in the 1960s, “Moonrise Kingdom” was shot in a yellowish tint coloring. No vivid colors made me prior to wondering that it’ll be less cheerful. However, the screenplay was great. It brought a classic touch in a gratifying and fanciful story. It’s simple, somewhat funny, but strangely gorgeous. All of the peculiar and eccentric parts of the plot will make everybody love this film without any doubt. At the first place, you’ll notice that there are so many scenes taken in a smooth movement or rotation of the camera (I think the crew used a set of camera rail a lot) and I found this style of viewing was so attracting!  Most of the scenes were composed symmetrically, and they were beautiful. Supported by a series of great orchestratic scoring by Alexander Desplat, “Moonrise Kingdom” could possibly mesmerize you so you’ll gonna view it more and more.

I love the cast. No, I don’t focus on those publicly-known actors like Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, or even Tilda Swinton who made her role as a local service in about the latest minutes of the duration. They were just great, wonderful, and so much capable of doing their own role with a strong characterization. But, I focused more on these two kids casted as the main roles: Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward. They’re such great attention-stealers! They could act as two young lovers with their own plain, unadorned personalities. They are so original. I see a big potential of them to act in more films after this one. For the record, “Moonrise Kingdom” is their very first experience in acting.

I think I should end this review by giving a little announcement that you’re not gonna let your kids or younger siblings to watch this film by themselves, as there are some sex, violence, and intense scenes among the casts that are surely not suitable for young watchers. “Moonrise Kingdom” is a proof that Wes Anderson is still on his track. Too bad it wasn't released here in our local cinemas. The thing is, it’s awkwardly beautiful, eccentrically cheerful, somewhat classic, and comically lovable. A Wes Anderson’s trademark.

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 ▲  Funny, beautiful, really enjoy-able
 ▼  So eccentric, a little bit peculiar

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MOONRISE KINGDOM | COUNTRY USA YEAR 2012 RATING Rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking GENRE Comedy, Drama, Romance RUNTIME 94 min CAST Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray WRITER Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola DIRECTOR Wes Anderson IMDB RATING 8.0/10 METACRITIC 84/100 (Universal Acclaim) ROTTEN TOMATOES 94% (Certified Fresh) MORE INFO