5-sentence review of Moonrise Kingdom

5. This Wes Anderson flick is a visual masterpiece.

4. Every shot is perfectly centered, the colors recall faded prints of 8mm family films or dogeared postcards taped to pages of a family album and items are laid out in each shot as if in preparation for a LL Bean catalog page.

3. It reads cliche, but some frames seem to be three-dimensional Norman Rockwell portrait come to life, while the characters move with an unnatural stiffness that, while odd, is Anderson’s signature.

2. As usual, Anderson only allows his one emotional state — some frozen expression that falls between stoic and pure anhedonia — and he allows just one smile to Kara Hayward, who was likely severely beaten for daring to look anything but mildly disinterested.

1. The story is cute, though it might take one twist too many, but “Moonrise Kingdom’s” pleasant length of 1 hour, 33 minutes means the final reel is out before that becomes intolerable.

MOONRISE KINGDOM

1 hour, 33 minutes

Rated PG-13

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartzman and Tilda Swinton.

Finney’s Flicks Grade: B-

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