In 2009 “Fantastic Mr. Fox” came into the theatres. It is an extremely unique movie, with its witty dialogue and stop motion animation. It has been nearly 10 years since the release of that movie.
Wes Anderson returned to the animation world with his newest film “Isle of Dogs,” which will release in American theatres on March 28, 2018.
The story takes place 20 years in a future dystopian Japan. In this world there has been an epidemic of Canine Flu, which has lead all canines to be transported to an island of trash.
There is a clan of dogs living there, and a 12-year-old boy crash lands on the island in search of his missing dog, Spots. The dogs on the island agree to help him look for his dog, and the adventure begins.
While looking for Spots, the clan of dogs and the boy must avoid getting captured by the police. They seek the help of different dogs living on the island and strengthen friendships along the way.
The trailer for this film shows the inclusion of more technology, while in “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” it was more rural farmlands. In “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” there were more varieties of animal species, while in “Isle of Dogs,” there are just different breeds of dogs. The trailer indicates that there will be more human interaction in this film than in “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
There are also scenes in the trailer showing different styles of lighting, indicating different areas. There is darker lighting in rooms, while on the island there is more natural light. It also appears that this movie will have the same sense of witty dialogue as “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Like “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” there is a strong cast, including both American and Japanese voice actors. Bryan Cranston does the voice of Chief, Edward Norton plays Rex, Bill Murray voices Boss, Jeff Goldblum as Duke and Bob Balaban as King. Additionally, Koyu Rankin does the voice of Atari Kobayashi, the boy who loses his dog, and the antagonist of the film, The Mayor Kobayoshi, is voiced by Kunichi Nomura.
The animation style of this movie stands out from other animated films. Most animated films are created digitally, however, “Isle of Dogs,” is created with stop motion. This choice of style creates a specific aesthetic, which can either be pleasing to the eyes or an eye sore.
Wes Anderson announced the production of this movie in 2015, when he mentioned creating a “film about dogs.” Anderson was inspired by the Akira Kurosawa films for his latest film. The movie’s music is directed by Alexandre Desplat. He has done the music for movies such as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Part 1 and 2, “The Shape of Water,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
Paige Rogers
Reporter