Quirky and funny, I could not stop watching. But may not be for all audiences.

Rating: Null/10 (23 October 2012)

Wes Anderson and I are both Houstonians, but I find his films "hit-or-miss" for me. "Rushmore" is one of my favorites, but the others of his not so much so. I like "Moonrise Kingdom" for the same reasons I like "Rushmore", and both coincidentally have some of the same actors. The quirky and preposterous situations, presented so seriously, are very entertaining.
The core of the story involves a scout troop and a nearby large family. One of the scouts is Jared Gilman (first-time actor) as 12-yr-old Sam , who doesn't seem to fit in with the others, and seems to be a loner, and as we later find out is an orphan living with a bunch of boys in a foster home. But a curious and smart young boy, with excellent wilderness survival skills. At a local entertainment night he wanders into the girls' dressing room and sees one dressed as a Raven, Kara Hayward (first-time actor) as 12-yr-old Suzy who we later find out is a problem child in her own home.
Other key characters include Bruce Willis as Captain Sharp, local police. Edward Norton as chain-smoking Scout Master Ward, Bill Murray as Walt Bishop, Suzy's dad, and Frances McDormand as Laura Bishop , Suzy's mom.
The story is about Sam and Suzy becoming pen pals of sorts, and making plans to meet and run away. Then the other scouts, the police, and the parents are pressed into service hunting for them.
All totally quirky, novel, fun. But not for all audiences, my wife watched a few minutes then walked out. It is that kind of movie.
February 2020, I watched it again, alone, most of it was very fresh after all these years and I enjoyed it as much as I did before. A very original and entertaining movie for those who appreciate Wes Anderson's style.