The Essentials: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

"Rapturous and hilarious."

— Andrew O'Hehir, Salon

"The best film of the year and perhaps the purest love story in cinematic history. [2012]"

— Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Most of Wes Anderson's previous pictures came from the head; Moonrise Kingdom is one from the heart."

— Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

"A thoroughly endearing journey, and one of the most enjoyable and touching movies to land in theaters so far this year. [2012]"

— Mike Scott, New Orleans Times-Picayune

"The hilarious and heartfelt Moonrise Kingdom is a consistent pleasure. By evoking the joys and terrors of childhood, it reminds us how to be alive."

— Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"There are many echoes of Anderson's earlier films, particularly Rushmore and Tenenbaums. He's an unapologetic romantic and Moonrise Kingdom is a study in wish-fulfillment."

— Sandra Hall Sydney, Morning Herald

"Moonrise Kingdom is Anderson's most completely satisfying film since the one-two of "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," in part because it's the perfect distillation of both."

— Scott Tobias, The A.V. Club

"It's an adventure, a love story, a biblical allegory complete with approaching storm, a mash note to composer Benjamin Britten and a profoundly touching discourse on the needs of troubled children."

— Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

"Moonrise Kingdom breezes along with a beautifully coordinated admixture of droll humor, deadpan and slapstick. Like all of Mr. Anderson's films, though, there's a deep, pervasive melancholia here too."

— Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

"There isn't a false note among the performances. It's the first movie for Hayward and Gilman; whatever awkwardness they display is appropriate. Willis may never have been better. Norton is fantastic. Murray and McDormand are also ... well, you get the idea."

— Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic