Moonrise Kingdom [DVD] [2012]

I absolutely adore this film. I could watch it over and over. Fabulous performances all round from a wonderful cast. A truly unique offering that always leaves me with a warm glow in my bosom and a wistful smile on my face.

I had been waiting and waiting with anticipation for this to come out on DVD after seeing it at the cinema three times. I can honestly say, hands down, it is Wes Anderson's best film to date. The cinematography is an absolute visual feast that leaves me arranging things in nice straight lines for hours after watching the film, plus these are most talented and loveable child actors I've ever seen (in fact the adult cast is also equally as exciting) and the story has me laughing and crying throughout every time. I just cannot express enough love for this film... and you can see the love that went into making it. It's just artistically awe inspiring and gets the perfect balance of blockbuster and art house influence... makes me want to be a child again. JUST WATCH IT IT'S AMAZING PLEASE!!!!!

To be honest, I really did not know what to make of this film after the first watching. I enjoyed it, but didn't find it that funny!!!! The performances from the leads - Willis, Norton, Swinton and Murray are rather sublime but it's the strangely enigmatic acting from the 'young newbies' Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward that steal the show as two pubescent children taking comfort and solace in each others company as they escape the strangeness of their lives. Pursued by their respective so-called "responsible adults", (that's the funny bit, I suppose?), they desperately try to find consolation in an effort to make some sense out of their muddled lives. I had to watch it three times before I could come to a conclusion - it is a good film; in my opinion a very thought provoking one. Perhaps I took it too seriously? However, I found it hard not too! Good film - not what I expected, but I think I got much more out of it because of this.

Excellent product and delivery!

For Wes Anderson fans - classic quirky/funny movie, with a great cast. Less expensive to buy the DVD than stream twice.

In 2012 there were two films that absolutely charmed the socks off me. One was Beasts of the Southern Wild; the other was Moonrise Kingdom. Now normally, I'm not a big Wes Anderson fan. The only other Anderson film that I thought worth having in my library is Fantastic Mr. Fox. Even the recent Grand Budapest Hotel--for all its spectacular design and artistry--just didn't get to me. But Moonrise Kingdom is such a terrific time trip back to 1965--every detail perfect, in its depiction of a summer holiday island. Moreover, its whimsical and ravishing depiction of very young love--and the huge risks one takes for it--is spot on. The romance of Sam and Suzy is a wonderful portrait of the first clumsy, dazzling infatuation with the opposite sex. Their escape to live in the woods together is classic. And Anderson's cast? To die for! Murray, McDormand, Swinton, Norton, Willis, Keitel, Schwartzman, Balaban, et al. If you love romantic comedy, as I do, you have to have Moonrise Kingdom. One technical caveat, though. Most of the transfer is visually mediocre--not Blu Ray-sharp quality, but ordinary DVD visual quality. Disappointing.

Excellent cast Beautiful film Suitable for everyone and really engaging for everyone in the family. Alternative and mainstream enough all at the same time. Teenagers also like it! X

I think that 3 stars is about right for me on this movie. It was one of those rare and strange films where, on getting to the end of it, I honestly couldn't decide if I had enjoyed watching it or not! I have not seen a Wes Anderson film before so, without a doubt, I probably didn't understand it. I couldn't decide what it wanted to be. It seemed primarily to want to be a comedy and there were bits of it that made me laugh BUT also vast stretches of it that didn't. I soon realised that it was pointless expecting any explanations or answers or even any kind of motivation - its not that kind of movie. Its a series of loosely related scenes strung together, written and filmed and acted in a 'quirky' fashion. Within those limitations then, there are good performances from most of the child actors, especially the understated Kara Hayward, and also from Ed Norton and Bruce Willis. Tilda Swinton had an excellent and very amusing first scene as Social Services - her later appearance was a little more forced and less convincing. The style of the movie is individual and fits the 'quirky' brief, likewise the camera work. The subject matter is interesting and often controversial. Personally I didn't find it 'sweet' or 'cute' but nor did I find it offensive - I think its a pretty valid take on young 'love' at that age. There are some violent acts here too but the overall surreal air to the film tends to mute these although I must admit that I didn't really understand the need to kill the dog - the one really unnecessary thing (to me) in the film. There doesn't seem to be much character development - arguably Sharp and Sam seen a little happier at the end of the film and Ward has a renewed confidence (and maybe a girlfriend). I'm not convinced things are really any better at Suzy's home but, again, I don't suppose character development is really the point of a film like this. So, I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. I doubt if I'll watch it again and I can't say that I'm in a hurry to watch other Wes Anderson films. Oh - it did have a very good soundtrack, especially all the Benjamin Britten - one thing I WILL do soon is listen to a recording of Noye's Fludde!