# Wes Anderson movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 21, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298 "2016-12-21T14:59:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/1 "2016-12-21T14:59:53Z")
Love 'em or hate 'em? Bottle Rocket Rushmore The Royal Tennenbaums The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou The Darjeeling Limited Fantastic Mr. Fox Moonrise Kingdom Grand Budapest Hotel Isle of Dogs (_in production_) I think his work is great. _ **Rushmore** _ is probably my favorite, followed by _ **Fantastic Mr. Fox** _. He is currently working on a new animated film about dogs. He seems to have a staple of actors that he loves working with. Bill Murray Jason Schwartzman Luke Wilson Owen Wilson Adrien Brody Edward Norton ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/2 "2016-12-21T15:16:05Z")
**Fantastic Mr. Fox** worked well with his style. Everything else, not a fan. It’s not that it’s all cutesy and precious, it’s that it’s _deliberately_ cutesy and precious, to the point of being forced, and I cannot abide that. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/3 "2016-12-21T15:18:36Z")
I’m definitely impressed with him as a director. Yes, he’s stylized and uses the same shots over and over, but he’s a marvelous storyteller, and he just keeps getting better. I’ve seen all but _Bottle Rocket_. Even the misses (_The Life Aquatic_ and _The Darjeeling Limited_) have a lot going for them, and _Moonrise Kingdom_ and _The Grand Budapest Hotel_ are works of genius. One point: great directors often have a “stock company” of actors they use over and over. Others in this category include John Ford, Preston Sturges, Woody Allen, and Orson Welles. I think it’s because a great director makes films that actors want to take part in. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/4 "2016-12-21T15:20:07Z")
Personally, I love him. Offhand, I’d say that “the Royal Tennenbaums” was my personal favorite, but I like all of them. In order of my particular preference, I’d rank them this way: The Royal Tennenbaums The Grand Budapest Hotel The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Fantastic Mr. Fox Moonrise Kingdom (Didn’t see Bottle Rocket or Darjeeling Limited, so I can’t rank 'em.) ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/5 "2016-12-21T15:27:03Z")
I really want to like Wes Anderson, because I generally like very stylized movies, but I’ve never been able to. I’ve also never been able to put my finger on exactly what turns me off from his movies. They’re beautifully shot and very deliberately constructed, but I feel nothing and eventually get bored. I think his best movie is Bottle Rocket, because (due to the limitations based on a young director with no budget) it’s the least Wes Andersony of them all. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/6 "2016-12-21T15:50:05Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > …but I feel nothing and eventually get bored. Agreed. He imposes emotional flatness on the characters and his plots have a lot of arbitrary devices, and the film-making elements that are left are beautiful but hard to sustain for the length of a feature film, in my view. It’s like looking at medieval art. Darjeeling Limited seemed to have a bit more warmth to it, perhaps because of the exotic and expansive setting. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/7 "2016-12-21T16:00:15Z")
I’ve seen all except “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, but I’ve heard good things about that one. I recall not being terribly “taken” by “Rushmore” and “Royal Tennenbaums”, but it could have been that I hadn’t gotten used to Anderson movies. I love “Bottle Rocket” not only because it is the least “Anderson-ish”, but also it was before Owen Wilson became the Owen Wilson of all his films after “Bottle Rocket”. I think “Life Aquatic” and “Moonrise Kingdom” are his best. I wanted to enjoy “Darjeeling” more, but kind of too much Owen Wilson in it. “Grand Budapest” was a blast, but kind of like a rollercoaster ride. As much as I enjoy his movies, you kind of have to prepare yourself when you sit down to watch one. It’s like you have to get ready for a different reality, or to not be surprized by the unexpected or completely nonsensical. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/8 "2016-12-21T16:04:28Z")
_Budapest_ is a personal favourite and I rather like _Tennenbaums_. _Aquatic_ had its moments. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/9 "2016-12-21T17:45:07Z")
Love them although I HATED Grand Budapest. My ranking- The Royal Tennenbaums Rushmore Bottle Rocket Moonrise Kingdom The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Fantastic Mr. Fox The Darjeeling Limited -that Visa commercial he did- Grand Budapest Hotel ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/10 "2016-12-21T17:48:47Z")
> [@cormac262](#): > > As much as I enjoy his movies, you kind of have to prepare yourself when you sit down to watch one. It’s like you have to get ready for a different reality, or to not be surprized by the unexpected or completely nonsensical. This is true, his movies have an adult picture book quality about them both stylistically and in the tone they use to tell stories. I don’t mean this in a way that denigrates them, they are generally pretty complex stories that address difficult subjects. However, even when characters do things like attempt suicide, it addresses the gravity of the situation in a manner and a style that makes it something far different from say, a gritty documentary. Even though there is plenty of gore, it’s handled in a dream-like manner, down to Ritchie disappearing like a ghost onto a city bus. Needless to say, if I’ve thought about it that much: yeah, I love his movies. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/11 "2016-12-21T17:53:37Z")
I’ve seen about half of his movies, and generally liked them, but not enough to make the effort to go back and watch the ones I’ve missed. In particular I enjoyed _Bottle Rockets_, _Rushmore_ and _Grand Budapest Hotel_. Come to think of it I think those are the only ones I saw. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/12 "2016-12-21T19:07:14Z")
Bottle Rocket - OK but unremarkable Rushmore - Very funny The Royal Tennenbaums - Didn’t see it The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Had its moments, but ultimately disappointing The Darjeeling Limited - Did nothing for me Fantastic Mr. Fox - Quirky and funny Moonrise Kingdom - Didn’t see it Grand Budapest Hotel - Love, love, loved it! He made a funny American Express ad awhile back, too: [Wes Anderson: American Express Commercial - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbO3BS0Uzm0) ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/13 "2016-12-21T19:22:52Z")
I hated them until my husband clued me into the gimmicks that Anderson uses, showing me the deliberate choices that he was making in framing scenes and stuff and then I developed an appreciation. I loved Mr. Fox. I want someone to develop a Wes Anderson movie drinking game. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/14 "2016-12-21T19:26:31Z")
This year, he made a [commercial for H&M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDinoNRC49c). And I thought the SNL parody of his work, The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders, was spot on. I don’t know how many directors have such a distinctive style that they could be parodied and have it be so recognizable. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/15 "2016-12-21T19:29:33Z")
I love Moonrise Kingdom. I got a huge kick out of the scene where Suzy pulled out the record player and put on the Françoise Hardy record for them to dance to…I had a crush on Ms. Hardy ever since seeing her in Grand Prix back in 1965. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/16 "2016-12-21T19:45:04Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > It’s not that it’s all cutesy and precious, it’s that it’s _deliberately_ cutesy and precious, to the point of being forced, and I cannot abide that. Yeah. It was fun once or twice, now its just tedious. I couldn’t make it through Budapest or Kingdom. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And I thought the SNL parody of his work, The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders, was spot on. That’s his best work! 😉 _“Homeowner: No you MAY NOT!”_ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/17 "2016-12-21T20:09:21Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > …I thought the SNL parody of his work, The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders, was spot on. I don’t know how many directors have such a distinctive style that they could be parodied and have it be so recognizable. Links, people, links!: [http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/new-horror-trailer/n42349?snl=1](http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/new-horror-trailer/n42349?snl=1) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ecks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ecks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ecks)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/18 "2016-12-21T20:14:26Z")
It’s amazing how well “What if Wes Anderson had Directed X-Men” works: I'd love to watch that film. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/19 "2016-12-21T21:18:46Z")
Very hit or miss and pretty binary - I either like them a lot or I don’t have much interest at all. _Rushmore_, _Moonrise Kingdom_ and _Fantastic Mr. Fox_ I like a lot. _Life Aquatic…_, _Royal Tennenbaums_ and _Darjeeling Limited_ are big misses for me. _Grand Budapest Hotel_ is the only one that splits the difference - I like it okay, but am not enthused. _Bottle Rocket_ I still haven’t seen, but I expect that one will fall into the like category just based on the opinions of others. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298/20 "2016-12-21T22:52:29Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I love Moonrise Kingdom. I got a huge kick out of the scene where Suzy pulled out the record player and put on the Françoise Hardy record for them to dance to… Heh. A scene where twelve-year-olds camping while out on the lam dance to Francoise Hardy on a portable record player is likely to be kind of a dividing line between Anderson fans and non-fans. I will say, the scene at the campground where the boy, um, pitches his tent left me a little surprised that Anderson went there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wes-anderson-movies/775298.md?page=2)