Wes Anderson has crafted his most personal venture yet.

Rating: 9/10 (23 October 2012)

One of the most acclaimed and celebrated movies of the year, Moonrise Kingdom might very well be Wes Anderson's best movie to date. It's probably his most accessible movie yet, but that doesn't mean he tones down his usual quirky style and humor. His personal stamp is ever so present throughout, his directorial choices a delight, and his cast (including Bruce Willis, Edrward Norton, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Bill freakin' Murray) are an absolute riot.
Most enchanting, however, is Anderson's delicate, layered script. The movie's charm never seems to fade, but he still manages to confront issues of first love, bullying, emotional damage, and social isolation without missing a beat. It may be a funny movie, but it still resonates deeply as a study of childhood. Moonrise Kingdom serves as a project lovingly perfected by Anderson, and what he crafts - complete with gorgeous photography and music - is one of the very best films of the year.
****1/2 / *****