criterionforum.org

Worth mentioning that the 4K digital copy of this film available through iTunes is on sale right now for $4.99 for a purchase - it unlocks the film in 4K on FandangoNOW as well if you're a Movies Anywhere user. So, provided you have a way to watch either of those two things on your 4K TV, you can stream this in a higher resolution than is available on disc for less than 5 bucks!

I re-watched this on BluRay -- and liked it even more than when I saw this at the theater -- despite finding the American exchange student even more annoying than I did initially (which was already a lot).

I wasn't very enamored with Isle of Dogs when I first caught it in theatres, though I never understood any of the criticisms either. I think I was expecting a Fantastic Mr. Fox-level heavy-existential allegory regarding one's nature vs agency to flex one's decisions to self-actualize within the realm of limitations. This is that to a degree but only in part- deceptively detouring because instead of becoming wrapped up in the 'self' like the first section of Anderson's filmography, this follows the Moonrise-kickoff of expanding peripheries to areas beyond one's isolative identity as the only focal point for change. Of course all of Wes' films involve characters learning to shed their narcissistic parts and find humility, but these later works focus their attention more comfortably in the external, so when Chief has a revelation it's due to finding acceptance in the nature of relationship dynamics and the desire for traditional social roles, rather than trying desperately to change the tides- like Grand Budapest clearly, or even Moonrise Kingdom did with scout-skills and gender roles in relationships. There’s a freedom in some degree of conformity rather than spending one’s time miserable proving to be an exception to the rule, which is an authentic kind of humility too, as well as an optimistic view of reciprocal love as possible -just not in direct mirroring of action.

I've now seen this film four times and its attention to detail joins the 2010s gang as a Tashlin/Tati mesh of visual gags and setpiece construction that just lands repetitively. It's hard to think of a film offhand that has a script, and scope of vision, this clever and creative. The space normally populated by gestures orbiting magnetically around philosophical musings are shared generously with an inspired narrative that can detach from those concepts, and even though this is not my favorite of the director's work, it's surely his most purely entertaining. This may be strange to say, but that movement away from the dense emotional core, toward ethereal magic of movies, is a brand of maturity for Anderson, and the manner in which he continues to find his favorite themes without getting his feet stuck in quicksand of self-absorption is heartening and still impactful even if seemingly diluted (and this is from someone who generally prefers his earlier period works, regardless of this assessment). If viewed as a Sci-Fi Adventure film, which this undoubtedly is in its roots, its borrowings range from post-apocalyptic to sociopolitical dystopia on either side of the island, and make for a very fun hybrid homage too.

Spoiler

I love the final lines, where despite having a home and identity he's somewhat secure with, Chief feels as lost as ever in wondering 'who' he is.. that violence is not 'him' as he wants to see himself. Nutmeg's response validates that part of him, and relieves him of the shame he can't escape from alone. It's a simple, playful exchange, but one of the most powerful in Anderson's canon

This premieres on Disney+ Friday

flyonthewall2983 wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:19 pm This premieres on Disney+ Friday

Wonder how much they'll edit out...

Maybe they'll snip the Greta Gerwig character out and make it a better movie?

Fantastic Mr. Fox is on there too. Neither in UHD disappointingly.

Wes Anderson conjures a dystopian future Japan in magical stop-motion. After a canine virus outbreak, the dogs of Megasaki are exiled to a vast island garbage dump. When Atari (the daring twelve-year-old ward of the city’s mayor) sets out to rescue his beloved Spots, he meets a pack of mongrel friends and is launched on an epic quest. Innovatively blending English and Japanese dialogue through a cross-cultural voice cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Yoko Ono, and Koyu Rankin, this fable of loyalty and disobedience combines Anderson’s signature themes—friendship among outsiders, the adventure of rebellion—with a delight in the boundless possibilities of animated storytelling.

New 4K digital master, supervised and approved by director Wes Anderson, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
Audio commentary featuring Anderson and actor Jeff Goldblum
Feature-length storyboard animatic
The Making of “Isle of Dogs,” featuring animators, puppet makers, modelers, sculptors, set dressers, illustrators, production designers, and more
The Visual Comedy of “Isle of Dogs,” a video essay by filmmakers Taylor Ramos & Tony Zhou
Jupiter in the Studio, featuring actor F. Murray Abraham touring the set
Animation tests, visual-effects breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes and time-lapse footage
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by critic Moeko Fujii and a poster by cover artist Katsuhiro Otomo

Illustration by Katsuhiro Otomo

Excited to hear the Anderson and Goldblum commentary! This animation will pop on 4K, probably the most meticulously crafted work of Anderson’s career.

Which ironically he crafted entirely remotely without coming to set!

Glad this is finally coming out! This is the last Wes Anderson film that I really loved, although I'm starting to come around to French Dispatch (haven't seen the latest yet).

I appreciate that Criterion is releasing this on the same day as the big box. They're a class act company.