Wes Anderson returns to animation in this “aww”-inducing tale.
Much of Isle of Dogs will be old hat to fans of Wes Anderson–quirky dialogue, young love, even stop-motion animation–but what sets it apart is a willingness let the animal characters be the true center of attention in a way that feels both authentic and endearing.
From the beginning, we are told that humans won’t be translated (though possibly interpreted aloud, just maybe by a foreign-exchange student) but that that dog barks will be. This shift of focus from human to canine sets the stage for a story rife with witty characters and heavy on the search for justice.
The list of voice actors in this film is so long it would be the length of a normal review all by itself. What’s important is that the human characters drive much of the action, but the dogs are our entry point into this world.
After being exiled to Trash Island by the cat-loving, dog-hating ruling family, the pooches are left to rot. The “little pilot” is the one “master” who goes in search of his best friend. From there an expedition is launched, as is a rescue mission from the bad humans, with a conspiracy at the highest levels to round out the whole thing.
With dogs as the focus, their ways and customs become the lens through which the entire story is viewed. A stray has to deal with the stigma of being the ultimate outsider. A show dog has to fight from being dismissed as just another pretty face. The relationship with their humans gets turned upside down to one of service and love and not ownership and care.
They might be animated puppets, but the characters in Isle of Dogs will melt the heart of any viewer, dog lover or not. With numerous flashbacks and interludes, the storytelling is highly structured but never labored. This is a perfect film for spring that explores a wonderful world, the likes of which only Wes Anderson could create.