clips and trailers: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Last updated 27 Apr 12

If you’ve ever read my top 10 films of the decade post, you’ll know that I’m a huge Wes Anderson fan. Ok, ok, I’ll admit. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou wasn’t his best work… but I thoroughly enjoyed The Darjeeling Limited and Fantastic Mr. Fox (review) so all is soon forgiven.

Well, Thursday was a happy day for me because it saw the debut of the trailer for Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson’s latest offering. It’s written by Anderson and Roman Coppola, who last collaborated on The Darjeeling Limited so I’m taking this as a good sign.

There’s not loads of information out there at the moment so here’s the official synopsis:

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore — and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle.

Anderson has assembled some big names for this one; the cast is led by the two young newcomers, Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward, but Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Ed Norton and Harvey Keitel all feature in various fun looking roles.

Fans fear not though, he also has a couple of his usual suspects in Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman as well as his regular cinematographer Robert Yeoman.

Watching the trailer it looks like absolute classic Anderson so I, for one, can’t wait to see it. To forewarn you though, I did tune out a little toward the middle because it was starting to look a little spoilery.

Undoubtedly there will those out there who would rather hear nails on a blackboard than watch a new Wes Anderson film. To ye I say… fair enough. Just don’t go see it.

UPDATES

update 17 Apr 12: Added UK and Ireland release date, 25th May 12, so not too long to wait! Also, official webpages have been set up and seven interactive character posters have been revealed. I’ve set up a new page for the posters – Moonrise Kingdom Interactive Posters

RELEASE DETAILS

release date: 23 May 12 (US), 25 May 12 (UK / IRL)
director: Wes Anderson
writers: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola (writers)
cast: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Ed Norton, Harvey Keitel
genre: drama, comedy
running time: TBC

Official website: Moonrise Kingdom @ Focus Features
Official facebook page: facebook.com/MoonriseKingdom