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[RustyNails]

I should point out that I have not seen ALL of his movies, but I kept watching them due to hype and the high Rottenmeter rating associated with them. Each time I was disappointed. Hated Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr Fox. Darjeeling Limited was mediocre in my opinion. Yet to see Moonrise Kingdom. But it was a long flight, and this was the only "high profile" movie in the movies section. I was expecting to be bored to sleep and wake up when the credits started to roll. I just find his movies to be extremely self-indulgent and too quirky for their own good, making them very, very niche filmmaking. But, Grand Budapest Hotel. Ummm....wow? This movie has a very misleading premise and the posters make you believe its about crazy quirky shit happening in some old eastern European hotel with a bunch of offbeat characters. That's like...10% of the movie. The rest of it is an adventure worthy of the greatest Pixar or Disney movie. Believe me, I was flabbergasted at how fast the action happened, the relatively simple plot without much baggage, the endearing characters (Zero is awesome) and the dialogue that is so good that the entire movie looks and sounds like a story book. I didn't even pay attention to symmetry and all that artistic filmmaking people like in a Wes Anderson film.

There is also signature Wes Anderson style that's included here and there (think of Fantastic Mr Fox), which may be a hit or miss. It was a miss for me (as I am not a fan of his style). But it does not detract from the wholesomeness of the movie at all. It is indeed a spectacular film. Don't think this is a feel good happy movie about a forgotten time. There is some heavy heart wrenching stuff, and when it hits, it hits hard and fast. And then there's the ensemble cast. It is outstanding, Ralph Fiennes in particular. Wow, he should at least get a nomination for his role as Gustave, on whom the movie is centered.

So gaf, do not avoid this film for any reason whatsoever. Go watch it now.

 

[orochi91]

A fantastic film indeed, but it's the type of movie I have trouble watching more than once.
It's rather slow throughout, but the character building is top-notch.

 

[thehypocrite]

It is pretty great.

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

Ok. You sold me, Rusty. I can't believe i haven't seen this yet. Fantastic Mr. Fox is one of my favorite movies of the last 10 years.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

In a sense I feel a part of the films is about being able to laugh at the eccentricities of people that are nothing like us, so I can imagine this one has the cast that is the most easy to not identify with.

 

[dekline]

Yes it's brilliant. Loved every minute of it.

 

[Fudgepuppy]

It's definitely the most visceral and entertaining Anderson film, but in my opinion Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic and especially Moonrise Kingdom are the better written movies.

 

[John Kowalski]

It's very nice and all.

But The Life Aquatic is still better.

 

[Moppeh]

My favorite film of the year so far. Absolutely adored it.

 

[Mononoke]

Yeah, it's a great film. One of my favorite to come out this year. I can agree that Anderson's films can be hard to get into. I think the criticisms are fair. But I've always loved his films. All of them (well, Darjeeling limited was kind of a misstep IMO). But even films of his I love, I can find elements of them to be off putting or frustrating.

But I agree, I think Grand Budapest might even be his best film, in terms of reining in all of his quirky elements and making a really focused/accessible film. Not sure it's his best best film though (well personally, speaking). But I can see why so many love it.

 

[PeskyToaster]

I've only seen Moonrise and this movie and I loved every second of GBH. The dialogue, humor, and characters were top notch. One of my favorites, I just had such a fun time watching it.

 

[BorkBork]

Never really got into most of his films , but Grand Budapest is my movie of the year. Ralph Fiennes was incredible.

 

[Grisby]

You hated Fantastic Mr Fox? Ugh. Just ugh I say.

But yeah, it's a good film. The hotel and surroundinh areas were beautiful.

 

[Bitanator]

"Hated Fantastic Mr Fox" How could you hate such a charming movie?

 

[Currygan]

not a masterpiece, but a very good movie. Colourful, fast paced, funny, and Ralph Fiennes massacring it with one of the best performances given by any actor in recent years

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Its funny how common this sentiment has showed up. Not a fan of most of his films AT ALL, and yet this one, maybe the most Wes Andersonish Wes Anderson movie of them all, I loved it.

What the hell.

 

[RustyNails]

"Hated Fantastic Mr Fox" How could you hate such a charming movie?

It was charming, and clooney's voice was perfect. But...it never took off for me. I was bored and wanted it to end.

 

[Mr.Swag]

I felt like it tried wayyy too hard. It was enjoyable, but it could have been simpler.

 

[liquidtmd]

Im 50/50 love / hate on Andersons output but I did indeed like Hotel quite a bit.

 

[dispensergoinup]

I loved it, more than most of his other films. And my brother who isn't into Wes Anderson at all actually liked it a lot. So there's that.

 

[bazzaar]

In my opinion Grand Budapest Hotel is second tier Wes Anderson. His obsession with style and symmetry over substance is taken to extreme and are detrimental to the film. I had no connection with any of the characters or story. It was simply dull.

He has done far better:

1. Moonrise Kingdom
2. Rushmore
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
4. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Although he has also done worse, looking at you Life Aquatic

 

[Bo Knows GAF]

I loved this movie and I'm always happy to share it with someone who hasn't seen it yet.

 

[Currygan]

I loved it, more than most of his other films. And my brother who isn't into Wes Anderson at all actually liked it a lot. So there's that.

same here. His movies bore me to tears but I was thoroughly entertained by GBH

the setting is probably the factor here, works perfectly with his wacky visual antics

 

[Superflat]

Fantastic Mr Fox and Moonrise Kingdom taps into a specific and unique sense of humor that I love, and Grand Budapest Hotel is definitely in line with those. I love the quick-cuts, fast dialogue, and fantasy-esque nature of those films.

In Grand Budapest I personally thought there were too many characters that felt flimsily added and I wasn't as invested in the overall narrative. I prefer Wes Anderson's smaller scale films. But the dialogue and acting in this film is top notch.

 

[James Woods]

I preferred the first half.

 

[Shaffield]

I liked it way more than Moonrise. In my opinion it was by far his funniest movie yet.
I slightly prefer Tenenbaums, Rushmore, and Bottle Rocket, but GBH was one of his finest.

Ralph Fiennes is hysterical

 

[SteveWinwood]

so you have bad taste in movies?

 

[whatever77]

I found his last 2 movies are miles better the rest (not counting that Mr. Fox movie)

The secret sauce is IMO he must not cast douchebag actors as the leads.

 

[Iceman]

I feel the need to remind people that Bottle Rocket exists, and is amazing.

 

[SummitAve]

It was an absolute delight.

 

[John Kowalski]

"Hated Fantastic Mr Fox" How could you hate such a charming movie?

It doesn't have Wes' characteristic honesty about adulthood. That's what i don't like about it.

 

[Always-honest]

It is great. But so are some of his other movies imo. Truely great.

 

[outsidah]

I loved it as well - highly recommended if you haven't caught it!

 

[Fireblend]

I loved it, but then again I'm a huge Wes Anderson fan and have loved everything I've seen from him. Love his quirky style too.

I think I like Moonrise Kingdom just a little bit more though.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Moonrise Kingdom is a masterpiece tho

 

[Empty]

it does have good crossover appeal. it's his most populist film- lots of jokes, fast moving plot, quirky elements leaning towards silliness. i saw it with my family who are not wes fans like me, but they all loved it.

 

[……forgetit]

You hate every Wes Anderson film?

 

[Red Chocobo]

Wes is the greatest living director in my eyes.

1. The Life Aquatic
2. Rushmore
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. Moonrise Kingdom
5. The Royal Tenenbaums

His films not in my list are not worth watching.

 

[harSon]

It's true. I fucking hate Wes Anderson, but Grand Budapest Hotel was quality from top to bottom. Ralph Fiennes was brilliant.

 

[arts&crafts]

They are all good but The Life Aquatic is on another level of awesome.

 

[tycoonheart]

Its a very good movie, but I still don't think it compares to his classics like Rushmore, Bottle Rocket and the Royal Tenenbaums.

Wes is the greatest living director in my eyes.

1. The Life Aquatic
2. Rushmore
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. Moonrise Kingdom
5. The Royal Tenenbaums

His films not in my list are not worth watching.

I'm surprised at why a lot of people don't include Bottle Rocket in their list of great Anderson movies. Its a masterpiece of me personally.

 

[HawkeyeIC]

Funny, I'm the exact opposite.

 

[Minus_Me]

Thought it was a little long, but very enjoyable.

The Life Aquatic is still my top tier movie of his.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

Beautiful movie, I really liked the characters and the setting, Fiennes was incredible.

 

[Owzers]

i didn't like Moonrise, Fox, and Darjeeling that much, but Grand Budapest won me over. Tenenbaums and Life Aquatic were the two i liked most before that.

 

[MNC]

I loved it! And I hate Steve Zissou and Darjeeling!

 

[Owari]

1. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
2. Darjeeling Limited
2. Royal Tenenbaums
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
4. Rushmore
5. Grand Budapest Hotel
6. Bottle Rocket
7. Moonrise Kingdom

GBH was good, but his other movies are better. I too felt it to drag a bit near the middle of the movie, but I was thoroughly entertained nonetheless. None of his films are below 9/10.

 

[Sobriquet]

Wes is the greatest living director in my eyes.

1. The Life Aquatic
2. Rushmore
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. Moonrise Kingdom
5. The Royal Tenenbaums

His films not in my list are not worth watching.

Bottle Rocket is his best film though

 

[TwntyOneTwlv]

GBH is the only Anderson movie I don't own and haven't seen. I love every film he's made with my favorites being Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom, and Darjeeling Limited.

 

[demon]

I've always been iffy on Wes Anderson and don't like him nearly as much as some people, but I really want to see this movie. Still haven't seen it but it looks fantastic.