Moonrise Kingdom (***1/2 out of ****)

Wes Anderson movies exist outside of this dimension. In his world everything is like a story book. The world has charm that can be seen in a popup book. The adventures contain misunderstood heroes who fight battles others would have forsaken quickly. Colorful supporting characters add dimension to the story and either aid or hinder the protagonists. Moonrise Kingdom is a welcomed break from half baked ideas for films we see week in and week out. This is one of year's best films right now.

Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward) have decided to run away together. Sam is isn't a popular child and has had plenty of youthful hardships. Suzy is violent mood swings and is seen as a trouble maker in the town's eyes. They are kids in a young a blissful love. Due to their running away, a search team is sent out after them. Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) who heads up the search is a kind man with a good sense of morals. Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) and the and Sam's fellow boy scouts also scour the island. Suzy's parents (Bill Murray & Frances McDormand) also desperately search for their troubled daughter.

The film is probably similar to the books Suzy so often reads. A young hero lives outside of a normal world in a wild fantasy. Sam and Suzy live a story that might have come out of a novel made for youths. Charm is almost leaking out of the screen it's that amusing. However unlike a child's book Wes Anderson movies also contain another style. His films have sort of a light-hearted melancholy. The characters even while happy have a sense of sadness about them, as in this moment won't last. It's a characteristic that appears rarely in bigger films but is very luring and understandable. Moonrise Kingdom is a miniature wonder and very welcoming.

***1/2 out of ****