Transcends our expectations of cinema

Rating: 9/10 (24 June 2012)

I walked into "Moonrise Kingdom" with absolutely no expectations. I'm someone who is very open to all genres... I can watch "There Will Be Blood" endlessly, and turn around to watch a film like "Transformers" - accepting both for what they are.
This movie is an anomaly. Not only is the style something rarely seen, but I couldn't categorize the movie at all.
While watching there were moments in which I felt this was some of the most brilliant direction I've ever seen, while there were other moments that I wished had been replaced with something more... fitting. This was my reaction in the theatre.
Now that the film has really been setting in, I've realized that this might be one of the most perfect movies I've ever seen. Not only did it hit the beats perfectly, and carry a fantastic - yet subtle - sense of humour, this film really triumphed in executing a perfect depiction of memory.
Nothing about this film is "real", nor is it intended to be. Watching was like recalling childhood memories of a first love, the way we once perceived adults, etc. The visuals are that of a memory, the exaggeration of certain components are that of memory, etc. etc. etc. - And likely not coincidentally, I now think back on many of its moments as something that exist as a memory... rather than something I watched on a 70 ft screen for $12 admission.
Brilliant Writing. Brilliant Photography. Impeccable Direction.
Whether or not you enjoy this film upon first viewing, I encourage you to look at this film for what it does, rather than what it is. You will realize that in many ways it transcends what we come to expect of cinema, and gives us something entirely new and magical.