DIRECTED BY WES ANDERSON
JEFF
“Asteroid City” is Wes Anderson’s latest idiosyncratic creation, focusing on the making of a stage play. The story alternates between a fictional universe and the real world using color and black-and-white visuals. Bryan Cranston plays a Walter Cronkite-inspired host, guiding us through the tale.
Set in the fictional town of Asteroid City in September 1955, it revolves around a Junior Stargazer and Space Cadet convention celebrating science achievements. Various characters, including a widowed father (Jason Schwartzman), a reluctant grandfather (Tom Hanks), schoolchildren, a famous actress (Scarlett Johansson), and a cowboy troupe, gather in town. Initially, the convention goes smoothly until an unexpected alien presence disrupts it.
The film features Anderson’s signature eccentric characters, with a special mention of Augie Steenbeck’s triplet daughters who humorously identify as a vampire, witch, and mummy. Although visually captivating, Anderson’s stories, often centered around family dynamics, no longer evoke the same enthusiasm.
The visual charm of this film was impressive. I felt the pacing of the film was a bit sluggish and I was confused by many aspects of the film. However, most long-time Wes Anderson fans will undoubtedly embrace this new outing as another Wes Anderson masterpiece.
Check out “Asteroid City” if you love Wes Anderson films or if you’re looking for a film that runs a bit off the beaten track. This film will not appeal to everyone, but be patient it may just grow on you,
