Isle of Dogs (PG-13)

“Whatever happened to man’s best friend?” Enigmatic filmmaker Wes Anderson must have a mind that’s part genius, part insane, in effort to create a movie like “Isle of Dogs.” The 2018 stop-motion-animated picture was nominated for two Academy Awards, and uses a cartoonish plot to showcase uncanny effects, deadpan humor, and an all-star cast that rivals the lineup of “Sin City.” The result is a stylish film that could be considered noir, and that’s got little in the way of flaws.  

“Isle of “Dogs” explains in absurdist style how a century’s old rift between dogs and cats eventually led to the former becoming domesticated house pets. The film is narrated by the great Courtney B. Vance (“12 Angry Men”), and plays off as a factual, though obviously ridiculous account of the history.

In a futuristic dystopian Japan, the hatred for dogs by the authoritarian ruler sees them banished to an island filled with trash just off the coast of the mainland. A young boy named Atari Kobayashi sneaks onto the isle of dogs in effort of finding and rescuing his beloved best friend, with the help of a ragtag pack of pooches.

Where do we start?  

The stop-motion-animation used for the characters, and in particular the many dogs, channels anachronistic style for an appealing and uncanny result. It could have been computerized CGI, but Wes Anderson smartly chose the primitive engine, made famous with film’s such as “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and the result is far more beneficial. The visuals throughout the film are so stunning – popping colors, off centered camera shots, and subtle touches that make the mutts come to life – you won’t want to look away for a second.  

In addition to the cinematography, the score, done by composer Alexandre Desplat, is tremendous. The music is primarily Japanese based, many centered on simple drum beats and percussion. Score is vital for an animated film, and this one hits a grand slam. That the dogs are voiced by such huge names as Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Bob Balaban, Scarlett Johansson, Harvey Keitel, Liev Schreiber – makes the overall production as close to perfect as one could get.

“Isle of Dogs” has several deeper meanings, and one can pick through them at your leisure. Many are obvious, some, like the deadpan humor itself that fuels the film, are far more subtle. One of the most glaring themes is the communication barrier. We the audience can understand the dogs. They speak flawless English, and though they can’t understand the humans, in true canine fashion, they are willing to help them anyway.

My only complaint comes from the inclusion of one particular character who proves to be pretty useless to the story and doesn’t seem to fit with the cohesive flow that the film engages. I won’t divulge it – you can decide for yourself – though I think it will be pretty obvious when you watch. Despite them being animated dogs, we become truly invested in their struggles, and the scenes featuring this character detract from the main story which is pretty captivating. The film clocks in at 1:41 and that’s about the maximum allotment it could be.

“Isle of Dogs” is a great movie. It’s original, off the wall, and excellently crafted. It’s written with humor, and a touch of heart. The production value is outstanding, and includes all the additives for a fantastic film. On its surface, it’s a simple adventure story of a boy rescuing his dog. The deeper themes and dark humor make it a complete creation of cinema.