Isle of Dogs is out this weekend, which means now is a perfect opportunity to look back at the filmography of its director, Wes Anderson. To say that Wes Anderson is one of the most unique filmmakers in modern cinema is an understatement. From his deadpan characters, to his catchy soundtracks, and his awe-inspiring pastel visuals, Anderson's filmmaking style is one that is instantly recognisable. Underneath the pretty visuals and snappy dialogue however, there tends to lie complex themes and characters throughout Anderson's work, making them emotionally compelling films as well as visually stunning ones. So now let us reflect on Anderson's career, including Isle of Dogs, by ranking his films from worst to best.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
This family dramedy sees three estranged brothers reunite for a train trip across India after not speaking to one another for over a year. The Darjeeling Limited isn't necessarily a bad film by any means, however in the context of Anderson's wider filmography it feels like a bit of a mixed bag. It's got the colourful imagery, that deadpan wit, with Anderson regulars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman all giving great performamces. However the story is just one big train journey to nowhere, with a couple of memorable sequences strung together by a rather weak plot. It's a shame, because a film that parodies white people going on 'spiritual journeys' to India has a lot of potential, especially in Wes Anderson's hands. Unfortunately, that potential is never truly realised and we can't help but feel that even Anderson was aware of this himself. Still, Wilson, Brody, and Schwartzman seamlessly bring to life that natural family dynamic and there are a couple of moments that make it worth watching, just don't put it at the top of your watchlist.
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004)
Years after his partner was eaten by a jaguar shark, oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) sets out with his crew in order to exact his revenge upon it. This homage to French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau was certainly an ambitious effort from Anderson, and the fact that he retained his own artistic integrity instead of opting for a more mainstream approach is highly admirable. However, one can't help but feel like The Life Aquatic is a bit hit and miss. It's certainly got a great cast, great visuals, and a phenomenal soundtrack including Portuguese covers of Bowie songs by Seu Jorge, but overall it feels severely unbalanced. Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach attempt to balance a large ensemble of characters, but unlike his previous effort The Royal Tenenbaums, we can't really connect with most of them. Even with stellar performances from Murray and company the film still can't help but feel a little overstuffed, and with a two hour run time things just begin to feel a bit sluggish overall. The Life Aquatic still has its fans however, with some claiming that it's Anderson's best film. I hope they don't crucify me for this.
Bottle Rocket (1996)
A lot of people would consider Anderson's debut to be his worst, but I found something strangely poignant about this stylish little heist film. Owen and Luke Wilson portray friends Dignan and Anthony respectively, who set off on a series of heists as part of a 75 year plan devised by Dignan himself. While it's definitely Andersons simplest film, there's something strangely compelling about how Bottle Rocket captures such small things in such unique ways. Be it the way characters act or the way in which they interact, Anderson puts his own signature flare on everyday things to make for a truly captivating experience. For example, the conversations between Anthony and Inez (Lumi Cavazos) are as hilarious as they are touching, and Anderson uses their language barrier in a playful, non-patronising manner. As well as that, it's also a standout performance from Owen Wilson as the erratic Dignan, and has a bizarre cameo from James Caan as landscaper and part-time criminal, Mr. Henry. Sure, it's certainly not as realised as most of his later films, but it's definitely a lot tighter than Darjeeling and The Life Aquatic in my opinion.
Rushmore (1998)
Anderson's sophomore effort is really what established him as the talented filmmaker that he is today. This coming of age film follows teenage protagonist Max (Jason Schwartzman) as he attempts to gain the affection of his schoolteacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) while competing against disenchanted industrialist Herman Blume (Bill Murray). With Rushmore, Anderson crafted his greatest character yet in Max Fischer. This sophisticated teenage rebel has his flaws, but being the charming narcissist he is, opts to simply ignore them despite being well aware of what they are. Schwartzman gives a stand out performance as Max and is matched only by Bill Murray's vulnerable Herman Blume. The duo play off each other nicely and share a believable dynamic despite their drastically different onscreen personalities. While at times it feels a bit uneven, this is the film that established Anderson as a true auteur. Building upon everything he did right with Bottle Rocket, Anderson crafts an unusual, yet compelling story, that launched the career of Jason Schwartzman, re-launched the career of Bill Murray, and made Wes Anderson a name to watch out for.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
What is perhaps Anderson's most widely-adored film follows a duo of 12 year old outcasts who, in order to escape their equally miserable lives, decide to run away together into the wilderness. It's easy to see why Moonrise Kingdom is so universally loved, apart from its aesthetic beauty and razor-sharp script, the themes of young love and rebellion conjure up feelings of warm nostalgia among audiences of all ages. Every frame is packed full of such whimsy and charm, but like every Wes Anderson film it's the moving story beneath those visuals that really carries the film. In this case, it's the Bonnie & Clyde-type love story between our two young protagonists, Suzy (Kara Hayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman). Despite their deadpan attitudes and unusual personalities, their relationship is believable and strangely touching, all thanks to the performances from the two young leads. Even among the ensemble cast of veteran actors, Hayward and Gilman still shine through as the films highlights. Since its release, Moonrise Kingdom has garnered a considerable cult following among the tumblr crowd, but more importantly it ushered in a new generation of Wes Anderson fans to revel in his filmography.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
The Royal Tenenbaums is the film where Wes Anderson's directorial style became fully solidified, if you were playing a game of Wes Anderson bingo during this you'd be sure to win. The film follows the eccentric yet selfish patriarch of the Tenenbaum clan, Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) as he attempts to reconnect with his family 22 years after separating from his wife. While Royal is indeed the main character, the large ensemble cast is well-balanced and each character receives their own respective arcs and degrees of development as well. From the depressed former tennis prodigy Richie Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson), to his paranoid, Adidas-wearing brother Chas (Ben Stiller), this is very much a family affair as opposed to just a one man show. Thematically and stylistically, The Royal Tenenbaums is the first time where we really see that signature Anderson-esque style come into fruition. From the pastel colour palette, themes of family, and large ensemble cast, The Royal Tenenbaums laid the foundations for the films that Anderson would subsequently make over the next decade. On top of that, it's also got what is quite possibly Anderson's best soundtrack yet, with "Ruby Tuesday" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" among the tunes, you simply can't go wrong.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Anderson's latest effort follows Atari Kobayashi (Koyu Rankin), a young boy in search of his dog on Trash Island, where all dogs in Japan have been exiled due to an outbreak of dog flu. It was refreshing to see Anderson return to the world of stop-motion, once again proving that the director is just as equipped when it comes to animation. There is so much detail poured into everything, from the sets, to the characters, to every hair on each little dog, the world of Isle of Dogs feels immense, and we really get a feel for that sense of scale throughout the film. Each dog, no matter how many lines or how much screen time they have, feels wholly unique in their own right. From Jeff Goldblum's gossip-loving Duke, to Scarlett Johansson's showdog Nutmeg, and Bryan Cranston's stern individualist Chief, no two dogs feel the same. As well as being emotionally engaging, the film feels politically relevant in today's society as well. The themes of oppression and isolation against a certain species under the rule of a tyrannical government can easily parallel today's political climate, and while Anderson did start working on it several years ago, those themes appear even stronger now. With its gorgeous animation, political themes, and homages to the likes of Akira Kurosawa, Isle of Dogs is a film that will appeal to all audiences, because at the end of the day, it's really all about one boy and his dog.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
This Stefan Zweig-inspired film follows the bizarre events that unfold when the highly established concierge, Mr. Gustav H. (Ralph Feinnes) is framed for murder, causing him and his trusted lobby boy Zero (Tony Revolori) to go on the run. 13 years after The Royal Tenenbaums solidified Anderson's distinct style, we were treated to the most Wes Anderson-y film yet in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Balancing his usual wit and whimsy with mature themes such as war and oppression, Anderson managed to craft what is possibly the most colourful black comedy to date. Every frame is like a painting, full of such texture and detail, but as always the visuals are backed up by a captivating plot and particularly clever dialogue from Anderson. The world of Grand Budapest feels so well-built and meticulously layered, that there is easily spin-off potential for any of the supporting characters, locations, or businesses such as Mendl's bakery. While it has a well-balanced ensemble cast, Ralph Feinnes is the real highlight here, giving a career-defining performance that's world's away from his menacing S.S. officer in Schindler's List. You'll definitely laugh, you may very well cry, but if one thing is certain it's that The Grand Budapest hotel emotionally resonates with everyone on some level, no matter how many times you watch it.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Following a particularly crafty fox (George Clooney) and his run-in with three unsightly farmers, Fantastic Mr. Fox is not only Anderson's best film, but also the film that rescued his career after the disappointing Darjeeling Limited. Putting his own signature spin on Roald Dahl's beloved children's book, Anderson manages to maintain his own artistic integrity while simultaneously remaining respectful to the great authors source material. He builds upon the characters introduced in the book, giving them more personality and development, while still capturing the essence of Dahl's work. From Clooney's charming, quote, unquote, Fantastic Mr. Fox, to Willem Dafoe's finger-snapping rat, the film is rich with memorable characters and even more memorable dialogue. Fantastic Mr. Fox is by far Anderson's best script yet, once again co-written with Noah Baumbach, and is arguably more quotable than Pulp Fiction itself. As well as that, the film is visually incomparable as Anderson brings his own signature flare to stop-motion animation for the first time. Stop motion was nothing new at the time, but the way Anderson utilised it and the sheer detail provided by his animation team made Fantastic Mr. Fox stand out from its contemporaries in the genre. Packed with unlimited wit, an uplifting sense of emotion, and topped off with a bonkers original song from Jarvis Cocker, Fantastic Mr. Fox is nothing less than a triumph for Wes Anderson.
So that's my ranking of the films of Wes Anderson. If you've not seen Isle of Dogs yet then I suggest you do because it's great, and if your cinema happens to have any dog-friendly screenings then definitely bring along a canine companion. I'll be back next week with more of my scariest horror movie moments, so stay tuned for that!
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