Isle of Dogs
Directed by Wes Anderson Wes Anderson’s latest stopmotion animated adventure “has cult potential stamped all over it,” said David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter. In a fictional Japanese megacity, a dictatorial, cat-loving mayor spreads fears of dog-borne disease and exiles all mutts to Trash Island. With dogs speaking in English, humans in unsubtitled Japanese, and set pieces so intricate they “cannot be overpraised,” Isle of Dogs proves to be an even wilder experience than Anderson’s 2009 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. “Just the wealth of visual detail in every frame alone will reward repeat viewings.” When a boy in search of his dog crashlands a prop plane on the island, pups voiced by Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, and Bryan Cranston join the quest, said Dana Stevens in Slate.com. Scarlett Johansson, Greta Gerwig, and Tilda Swinton do voice work, too, and though some of the female parts are thankless, “it’s hard to resist Isle of Dogs’ energy and wit.” The film prioritizes in-the-moment delight, said Ben Croll in VanityFair.com. “The sheer artistry displayed is so expertly accomplished, and so clearly fueled by love, that you can’t help but grin.”