isle of dogs...

Moira and I went to the Watershed this afternoon to see Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs”. It’s a ‘stop-motion’ (animation) story set in an imaginary Japan of the future (the Japanese setting was apparently simply chosen because of Anderson’s love of all things Japanese… or something along those lines) where dogs have been exiled to a vast refuse-dump called Trash Island. Essentially, in Megasaki City the cat-lovers have the upper hand and with outbreaks of dog flu and snout fever(!), the Mayor (boo hiss) has quarantined all dogs on to the island. In order to show an example to his fellow citizens, the sinister, dog-hating mayor starts the process by dispatching the dog (Spots) of his 12 year-old nephew, Atari. But Atari isn’t going to accept this situation (oh no!) and he sets out on a daring rescue mission to Trash Island… where he meets a group of abandoned dogs who are determined to join him in his search.
Well, let me be quite candid here… I think Anderson can do absolutely no wrong when it comes to producing films. I absolutely LOVE his eye for design, detail, colour… and his humour.
As far as I’m concerned, this film has them ALL in spades.
Despite its affectionate and funny backdrop (I spent most of the film with an inane grin on my face!), the film also has bite… there are powerful references to rigged elections, fake news, hackers, environmental issues and (given the recent Florida shootings and the stand taken by students, for example) its young people who are left questioning authority.
The animated characters are simply wonderful and I adore Anderson’s eye for detail.
I absolutely LOVED this film (and so did its Watershed audience, who applauded at the end!). You definitely need to see it… you’re in for a treat!