Movie Review - Asteroid City

 

He's back everybody! The man, who has his own unique style and loves a big cast, is back for another film. Yes, this is a Wes Anderson film. His 11th film and the first to feature newcomers Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks and Steve Carell. All great actors in their own right with a number of awards and such under their names. It's a sci-fi one this time around, with a plot that shows two very different sides to the story. It's the first Anderson film in a while to be distributed by Universal (via Focus Features) which seems to be the go-to major film studio that is very much still about the big screen experience despite having their own streaming service. Or rather, they are more willing to go that route for selected films and filmmakers than the likes of say Disney and Warner Brothers. What a way for those two to celebrate 100 years eyy? Anyway, let's check this film out:

As mentioned, this film is told in two perspectives. A television show host (played by Bryan Cranston) explains that what we are about to see is a televised production of the titular "Asteroid City", itself being told to us as if it was in its own fictional universe. The play is by famed playwright Conrad Earp (played by Edward Norton) and is all about a youth astronomy convention in a fictional desert town of the same name. While the play itself is in stylized colour and widescreen, the events of the television special are shown in black and white with an Academy ratio. Shenanigans take place which leads to a bizarre cast of characters, sharing a town and later on, isolation when something a little strange happens. While other things take place in the television special too.

Although a little unbalanced in places, this is as Wes Anderson as you are going to get. It's got style, a great cast of characters and the switching between universes is a nice touch if a little distracting in places. Also, despite the 12 rating we got here, it's acknowledged that there is a brief scene of nudity. But only brief, so no need for the BBFC to drastically change it. 8/10