Went to see Isle of Dogs the other day and in my opinion this is a fan movie - a Wes fan or a dog fan. Because the things you want to satirize and describe are too straightforward, the plot will inevitably be easily predictable or even lackluster; but at the same time, because the things you want to satirize and describe are too straightforward, compared to "The Great Fox Dad", this film It's also not like a movie for children - although "Fox Dad" is not a movie for children, but because the various metaphors are hidden, children can see the surface expression without being directed. Trying to express something bothers me. But "Canis Island" cannot do this. Anyone who sees the dictatorial decree and the flag of militarism raised, even if he has no political stance, should "understand the air" to use a Japanese translation. When children watch "Isle of Dogs", there will always be one or two moments when they are stabbed by Wes's too candid irony, which makes them feel vaguely strange.
Therefore, what I want to say is that, in my eyes, "Canis Island" can be said to be a less successful movie, but it is indeed a very successful attempt and an expression of ambition.
On Political Metaphors in "Isle of Dogs"
The first movie review I read after watching the movie was one in a quarrel. Since I haven’t read any other movie reviews, the rebuttal of that one is indeed well-founded and not over-interpreted. I admire it now and feel good I don't want to write "Canis Island" anymore, someone has already explained it.
Then I read some movie reviews and got tired.
It is not impossible to analyze the historical events corresponding to each name and detail in one, two or three lines. It is not impossible to correspond various doctrines to the lives of dogs. It is even difficult to guarantee that these are the original intentions of Wes, but really very tired. Too Zhihu, there is a kind of smugness of "you see I understand you don't understand". It's not that you can't be complacent, but you're really tired.
Unless it is a reasoning or a sci-fi movie, there will be a situation of "incomprehensible", such as "Canis Island", or all Wes movies, or even most of the movies, there is nothing to understand. do not know.
What a movie wants to convey is in images, and what a novel wants to convey is in words. At this moment, even the original intention of the creator is no longer the standard answer. The work is created, seen, and interpreted. As long as it is not misinterpreted, it is understood - even if it is different from the original intention of the author. understood. The creator's blank space in the creative process is also to allow space for different interpretations. A movie that explains all the details and positions clearly is not a good movie.
A dog walks by, a child sees a ball of fur, a fear of dogs sees a wild animal, and a parasite sees a habitat. For the interpretation of literary and artistic works, I personally think that the blind can touch the elephant.
The metaphors in the film aren't even very subtle, and some blatant irony is probably Wes's ambition. I once said that Wes Anderson is my forever red velvet cupcake with yogurt topping. But if you want to really leave a mark in the history of film, can you just rely on aesthetics? The answer is, of course, yes, Wes's aesthetics will indeed be written into art history, but he doesn't want to rely solely on that. If you don't want to, you can't be a cupcake forever.
Cupcakes are cute but not delicious. Of course they are cute and delicious, but they cannot be eaten as meals.
So there was "The Great Fox Dad", and then there was "Canis Island".
Cupcake Aesthetics
If you can appreciate Wes's unique aesthetics, the viewing experience of "Isle of Dogs" is undoubtedly a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I picked a weekday afternoon to see it, so there were only two other people in the cinema sitting far away besides me. So I was quite comfortable twirling to the lovely soundtrack in the movie for a hundred minutes. Symmetrical composition with playful colors, lovable character designs, fluffy puppies and a straightforward story.
Abandoning all the satire and political metaphors that are over- or not over-interpreted, I still want to see "Isle of Dogs" as a lovely story of a lonely little boy leading dogs against the world. I understand all the interpretations of "Isle of Dogs" too well. I can find the reasons why I came to such and such conclusions, but I don't want to.
Watching the fantastical adventures of a group of fluffy puppies and having to analyze the social class represented by each person's name is really exhausting. So I want to see it as a little story like "Moonrise Kingdom". It is also a stubborn and stubborn little boy. One wants to elope with the elder sister and make earrings with beetles for the elder sister; These are all romances that only belong to little boys, small and inhumane young minds, and a kind of power that stands on the opposite side of the world. I prefer to simply see it as a story of "the wall and the egg" mentioned in Haruki Murakami's speech. When the egg hits the wall, it will always stand on the side of the egg.
So all the vague discomfort can be explained by fairy tale logic, the tame and loving relationship to the dog, the little girl with the afro, and the finale. I want to remember my own emotion when the boy gave Chief half a cookie, and it made me want to say again "I know what you're saying, but I don't want to think that way."
Wes' world is like this, adults are always gentle and innocent, and teenagers are fierce little beasts. For example, "Crossing Darjeeling" is full of gorgeous scenery and cold jokes that require tacit understanding. It is a movie that can be picked up and watched again anytime. There is also the "Grand Budapest Hotel" that has to be mentioned. Every summer in London, there will be a pop up rooftop cinema, and you can go to various rooftops to watch movies by recharging the card. Away from the hustle and bustle of high-rise building roofs, there are minibars and a fiery sunset, with big headphones and blankets on beach chairs. One of the must-have films of the rooftop cinema club every year is The Grand Budapest Hotel, a sad and sweet tale of Wes Anderson for any kind of romantic occasion.
And the work that best represents Wes Anderson that I will never forget in my heart will always be "Rushmore". This movie about a queer teenager is a letter to all the people who are out of place in this world and enjoy themselves: if you like it, you will get back your Latin class for you, if you like it, go to build an aquarium, If you like it, I will send you a small potted plant. Youth is the afterlife, with a little injury. Life is also the rest of your life, and it doesn't matter if you suffer a little injury. You can cry and laugh, it is the sour Yougurt topping and the sweet and greasy cake embryo.
The last thing I want to say is that, in any case, Wes Anderson is still the person I most want to be in this world at this stage.
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