When I tell you that the thrill of UFOs (sorry, the UAPs) is through the roof, I'm not joking. Now Wes Anderson is making it even more intense with his new film “Asteroid City”, a delightful journey through young scientists, futuristic inventions and close encounters in the Arizona desert of the 50s.
At the moment, the expected date is September 2023: after the summer we will enjoy a concentration of joy (with a pinch of melancholy) that promises to make Wes Anderson's most avid fans smile. At the same time, however, from the first signals received it could be a bit cryptic for the mainstream public, perhaps less accustomed to his sophisticated ruminations.
Wes Anderson goes back to basics
It's an era in which trailers and Wes Anderson imitations follow one another incessantly on the web (I couldn't be an exception, and in fact I alternate the few images generously released by Focus Distribution with some "Wez-style" ones generated with AI).
“Asteroid City” also satisfies this widespread demand, with a sumptuous return to origins. We are catapulted into a 50s America recreated with obsessive care, among golden sunsets, atomic tests, untameable cacti and breathtaking landscapes. All this is enriched by Anderson's nostalgic charm and an exceptional cast.
The story catapults us into the Young Stargazers and Space Cadets Convention, where future scientific geniuses challenge the United States government with inventions worthy of a science fiction film. But, when an alien spaceship decides to visit the city, the entire area is quarantined, turning into a big circus of eccentric characters.
A cocktail of style and content
If you are a fan of the Supreme, “Asteroid City” is positioned somewhere between “Moonrise Kingdom” and “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou”. Also touch on “The Darjeeling Limited”. Even though the film deals with themes such as existentialism and death, the vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere offers moments of pure joy that transcend the classic panic generated by the arrival of a UFO.
The scenography faithfully reproduces post-war America, with its simplified lifestyle and its genuine values. Everything is called into question by the unexpected visit of an alien. The film, a true cinematic cocktail, manages to masterfully mix an infinite number of themes, always maintaining a light and enjoyable tone.
A work of visual art
The typical atmospheres of Wes Anderson are recreated thanks to the crazy work of the director of photography Robert Yeoman, which uses Kodak 35 mm film to create a series of fascinating images and visual suggestions, all accompanied by an immersive soundtrack created by the Academy Award winner Alexandre Desplat.
Just like the collage of complex characters that populate Anderson's films, “Asteroid City” is also an example of pure cinematic escapism, capable of dragging the viewer into a world where humanity is confronted with its cosmic role.
On the other hand, we said it to each other, right? We are the aliens.
