REVIEW: ISLE OF DOGS

4/5

Dogs In Translation.

101 Mins. Starring: Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Bob Balaban, Koyu Rankin, Kunichi Nomura, Ken Wantanabe, Scarlett Johansson, Greta Gerwig, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Nijiro Murakami, Akira Ito, Liev Schreiber, Harvey Kietel, Anjelica Huston, F. Murray Abraham, Courtney B. Vance & Yoko Ono. Director: Wes Anderson.

Here boy, how's this for a dogs purpose?! Straight from the foxhole 'Mr. Fantastic', Wes Anderson stretches his Gromit like stop-motion animation all the way to the Far East of Japan. And the result is as amazing as anime. About to leave you wagging...tail or not. Welcome back home to the wonderful world of Wes, as 'The Darjeeling Limited' director brews up another classic for his 'Life Aquatic' aquarium of amazement. One that takes the almost decade aged model of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox', the runaway adventure of 'Moonrise Kingdom' and the Hollywood A-list vacancies booked in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' to a whole new island. 'Isle Of Dogs' does more than bark up a tree, taking on politics, immigration and of course you know who by the dog pound. In a weary world in need of some TLC today. Whether that be a good pat, or just a scratch behind the ear. And anyone trying to discipline this with cultural appropriation tags, careful you don't get bit. This is Wes' traditional love letter to Japan's deep culture of character, no disrespectful stereotype. From the first beat of the taiko drum, to the last deep bow of respect. From the articulated art of Hokusai homages, to the beautiful bloom of the classic cherry blossom you should expect at this time of year. But even if 'tis the season', what happens when the winds of change blow it all away? What if what you love most in this world flies away like you let it go? What would you do if you lost your best friend? That's what our young boy Atari faces here, when his beloved dog Spots is lost to "trash island". A rabid, flea-infested land for those suffering from "snout fever", or what you could call, dog-flu. Now it's up to a pack of strays to help Atari spot Spots and bring him back to his kennel in a film where the Japanese speak subtly without subtitle and the dogs barks are translated to the kings.

Ruff I know. But from the gaining sumo to the rising sun, this is a treat blockbusters have been begging with two paws in the air for. But they'll just have to go fetch as who let the Hollywood stars out? Cranston, Norton, Goldblum, Murray, Johansson, McDormand, Gerwig, Swinton, Schreiber, Kietel. Yoko Ono? They're all here like the 'Grand Budapest' had some rooms left. Canine friendly ones. Breaking bark or barking bad, leading the pack is Bryan Cranston's cranky stray with a flea in his fur. Not afraid to Mike Tyson another mutt for maggot infested scraps. Who else to lead but a dog named Chief? Well how about Edward Norton's Rex? The Academy actors vocals as instantly recognisable as that name for a dog. But for all the great voice work here none brings the wide puppy dog eyes quite like the one of 'Jurassic Park's' Jeff Golblum. The offbeat legend in this offbeat legends film returns after making 'Thor-Ragnarok' as weird and whimsically wonderful as he is. As this time 'The Fly', who 'Budapest' asked if someone threw his cat out the window turns into a mutt. And what would a Wes Anderson film be without the baseball sweater wearing Bill Murray (eight wonders and counting)? Who is on cult hero top form and even has a 'Lost In (Barking) Translation' reunion of sorts with Scarlett Johansson. Whose dog, when it comes to grooming and new tricks is the best in show. Fellow 'Monuments Men' Bob Balaban 'Maguire' completes the leading pack perfectly. Giving good boy Koyu Rankin-armed with a Bart Simpson catapult-the band of barking mad brothers he needs to defeat some evil K-9's in a classic cartoon, Acme cloud, punch bowl dust up and find his hero. As ours takes a rocket ship to a quiet place forgotten by his monster of a Mayor uncle Kobayashi. Played with pointed perfection by 'Isle Of Dogs' co-writer and character co-creator Kunichi Nomura. Atari may be his ward, but this kid will leave the whole prefecture just to bring his dog home to the spot where he warmly belongs at the end of his bed. Remember it's never "just a f###### dog"!

'Last Samurai' Ken Wantanabe bridges the Japanese and Hollywood gap as his surgeon stitches all of this together. All of this being all the amazing A-list talent making the trip. 'Best Actress" Oscar winner for 'Three Billboard's Outside Ebbing, Missouri' Frances McDormand is here for your interpretation. Whilst Greta Gerwig who almost got one for her 'Lady Bird' direction is flying here as a nominated exchange student leading this protest. And if that wasn't enough, Tilda Swinton (who rivals Murray for as many moments in service with Wes) steals the show as Oracle. An adorable pug who can see the future aswell as she can understand the news (Swinton hasn't been this scene stealing against type since her unrecognisable, made-up 'Trainwreck'). Even legends like Harvey Kietel and F. Murray Abraham add to this score of actors. And don't forget or neglect to realize 'Ray Donovan's' presence. As you'll be kicking yourself if you didn't get that Liev Schreiber's unmistakable drawl draws a crowd too like pets greeting you at the door after a long day (I hold up my paw). Even 'Addams Family' Morticia Anjelica Huston gets a gig as a mute dog. And how about 'The People vs O.J. Simpson's' Johnny Cochran, Courtney B. Vance with the nice narration chasing Morgan Freeman's tail? There's a wealth of Japanese talent that doesn't go unnoticed too in this art of entertainment by the manga book, like Akira (Ito) and (Nijiro) Murakami. But it's John Lennon's muse that really has our imagination. As Yoko Ono herself plays...erm Assistant Scientist Yoko Ono. But how perfect is that? Like everything in Anderson's amazing animation, surely soon to be Academy acclaimed. Wes' wonder of hard-worked, hand-craftmanship is inspired in its every increment. As this animation illuminates like the Tokyo neon of smartphones taking crossing shots at midnight in Shibuya. And in a time where people are buying out cinemas for symbolic superheroes like 'Wonder Woman' and the 'Black Panther' for the influenced youth of tomorrow to see today, there are even theatres accommodating and catering to our four legged friends in order for them to join their masters side like bringing them the morning paper. Now isn't that a treat!? Bow WOW! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Fantastic Mr. Fox', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', 'Moonrise Kingdom'.