Now playing at Village Centre Cinemas
Directed by:
Wes Anderson
Starring:
Bryan Cranston
Edward Norton
Bill Murray
Jeff Goldblum
Ken Watanabe
When first hearing about “Isle of Dogs,” I hoped the film could live up to the hype. Instead, the film surpassed expectations and should be considered a front runner for best animated feature.
From the mind of the talented Wes Anderson comes an intertwining story with a charming concept — sick dogs abandoned on a garbage island in Japan.
Set 20 years into the future in “the Japanese archipelago,” dog-hating Mayor Kobayashi of Megasaki City sends all dogs away to Trash Island after a recent outbreak of snout fever and canine flu.
This is where we meet the stars of the film, the alpha dog pack. The dogs themselves may not be much of alphas, but the talented voice actors certainly are.
The group is led by the stray Chief (Bryan Cranston), sports team mascot Boss (Bill Murray), tale telling Duke (Jeff Goldblum), former celebrity King (Bob Balaban) and spunky Rex (Edward Norton). Each actor portrays their dog beautifully, coming together to give a pack of wild dogs life when they are stuck on an island full of disease and death.
When Kobayashi’s nephew, Atari, arrives on the island in search for his lost canine best friend Spots (Liev Schreiber), the adventure heads in a direction that surprises many but keeps the Wes Anderson style many fans know and love.
At its heart, “Isle of Dogs” is a story about finding family in a canine companion, with hints of a political thriller. At times the humor can be dark, but there were still many times I found myself laughing out loud in theater, due to the creative humor Anderson gives his audience.
Anderson also succeeds in balancing a portrayal of Japanese heritage and funny comedy — the latter provided by an English interpreter.
Last but not least is the astounding animation of this film. The montage sequences throughout this film are where the animation of “Isle of Dogs” shines the brightest. I never would have thought an island of trash could be so beautiful, but leave it to Wes Anderson to make something hideous into a work of art.
If there is any downside to this film, it would lie in the cluttered third act. The end of the film left me happy, yet confused at the same time.
On an island filled with trash lies a beautiful story told through creative humor and remarkable animation — the story of a rag tag group of dogs helping a little boy find his best friend. If you love dogs, then you will love “Isle of Dogs,” and it should be on your radar for best animated film of the year.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CDeremer_VN