Monday, September 8, 2008

Bottle Rocket (1996)

I have come to be an avid Wes Anderson fan and all that there is in his style-over-content approach to filmmaking. I had yet to see his earliest film and it’s about time. The same techniques used in all his recent works can be referenced back to this first movie. It comes with everything we’ve come to love in Wes Anderson - static cameras, overhead close ups, side tracking shots, Mark Mothersbaugh and pop soundtracks, and a slow motion ending. Both Luke and Owen Wilson make their debuts on screen and Owen begins collaboration with Anderson that includes Rushmoreand Royal Tenenbaums as well; another definitive of Anderson works - repeated cast and crew. Bottle Rocket gets by with a certain quirky charm and has a refreshingly appetizing feel to it. I recommend this if not just to gain an appreciation for a consistent director who over time produces fresh and genuine work.

7/10 - steven

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