Writer/director Wes Anderson (Asteroid City) is known for his unique films that tend to center around themes such as grief, loss of innocence, and dysfunctional families. He has a distinctive style that some would categorize as eclectic, bizarre, and/or quirky. Moviegoers tend to be divided by his films, either loving or hating them, but none can argue that Anderson has made his mark in the annals of modern film. His latest endeavor, The Phoenician Scheme, is full of his usual oddly created moments that somehow lead up to a satisfying conclusion, and fans will now be able to enjoy it in 4K thanks to Focus Features physical media release.
In 1950, Anatole "Zsa Zsa" Korda (Benicio Del Toro; Sicario) survives yet another assassination attempt. Korda is an entrepreneur/arms dealer/industrialist whose less-than-ethical business practices have made him a target. His latest plan is to overhaul the infrastructure of Phoenicia, which requires the cooperation of several business partners. In order to eventually pass on the family business, Korda makes his estranged daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton; Shadows), a Catholic novice, the sole beneficiary of his company, much to her dismay. Together, they travel the world trying to convince their investors not to back out of the deal to rebuild Phoenicia. Meanwhile, odd things happen around them as the two try to form a bond.
As previously mentioned, Anderson has a unique style that he utilizes once again with this latest film. His oddball way of shooting scenes makes them seem almost comical but serious at the same time. He alternates from wide shots to close-ups in order to establish the scene and the intimacy within it. He also employs a star-studded cast that offers a who's who of Hollywood actors in cameos throughout the movie. It is a testament to his work that so many actors choose to work with him over and over again.
Besides terrific jobs from Del Toro and Threapleton, the cast also includes Michael Cera (Superbad), Tom Hanks (Cast Away), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Scarlett Johansson (Jurassic World Rebirth), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Rupert Friend (Hitman: Agent 47) and Hope Davis (About Schmidt). As with every Anderson movie, there are no less than a dozen well-known actors involved in some way or another, and they all have memorable scenes. There is no wonder they all sign on for even small roles in an Anderson written and directed movie. Of course, Threapleton's deadpan delivery of every line is brilliant and gives the film some of its best and most humorous moments.
The technical quality of this release is superb. The Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos offer excellent visuals and audio that make watching the movie a pleasure. The details are so sharp that the viewer can see every well-placed strand of hair on Del Toro's head.
The audio is layered with ambient sounds while the dialogue sits in the front speakers. As with all Anderson movies, there is an interesting mix of music, and The Phoenician Scheme is no different. Of course, that score is highlighted with the Dolby Atmos audio.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment with this release is the extras. Besides being short in length, they don't offer much in the way of insightful information. The extras include: Behind THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME: The Cast, The Airplane, Marseille Bob's and Zsa-zsa's World*.
The Phoenician Scheme is a solid entry in the film catalog of Wes Anderson, but not his best film overall. The movie is humorous, with some touting it as "the funniest Anderson film ever". While I don't necessarily agree with that assessment, it is pure Anderson and won't disappoint fans.
Grade: B
