After 13 films, we know what to expect from a Wes Anderson film. In a world where many talented directors make a groundbreaking film and then get assigned to a Marvel film or a Disney remake like Barry Jenkins and 'Mufasa: The Lion King' or Dean Fleischer Camp and 'Lilo & Stitch', Wes Anderson has remained on his own island - and that's extremely exciting in 2025.
His latest outing, 'The Phoenician Scheme', follows wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro, 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'), who frequently escapes death. His most recent near-death experience causes him to start to think about who he will leave his empire to. He recruits his only daughter, Sister Liesl (Mia Threapleton, TV's 'Dangerous Liaisons'). as he embarks on a new enterprise that has them meeting with scheming tycoons, Leland (Tom Hanks, 'A Man Called Otto', 'Elvis') and Reagan (Bryan Cranston, 'Kung Fu Panda 4', 'Argylle'), foreign terrorists, and assassins, Sergio (Richard Ayoade, 'The Bad Guys', 'Soul') - all while accompanied by Bjørn Lund (Michael Cera, 'Barbie', 'Molly's Game'), Zsa's son's tutor.
SWITCH: 'THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME' TRAILER
'The Phoenician Scheme' is through and through a Wes Anderson film, for better and worse. It has all the great things you would expect: zany characters, glorious projection design and stunning cinematography. However, compared to his last two films, 'The French Dispatch' and 'Asteroid City', 'The Phoenician Scheme' feels weaker. It might be the case of too much of the same thing, but Anderson has elevated his style so many times that this just isn't the case. It's a good film - but when you have as phenomenal a filmography as he does, this one just comes across as a little weaker compared to some of the others.
However, the acting is a true standout here. Michael Cera finally teaming up with Wes Anderson is well worth the wait. There's the assembled cast of actors we have come to love seeing in these films, but lead Mia Threapleton is the real star here. You also get great moments like Hanks and Cranston in a basketball game, Ayoade being as amazing as he always is, and glorifiedly fun cameos from Anderson stables like Scarlett Johansson ('Fly Me to the Moon'), Benedict Cumberbatch ('Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'), Willem Dafoe ('Nosferatu') and Bill Murray ('Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire').
It's a good film - but when you have as phenomenal a filmography as he does, this one just comes across as a little weaker compared to some of the others.
'The Phoenician Scheme' is a Wes Anderson film and not much more. If you love him, this will tick all the boxes of what you want from him, but it is a weaker entry in his filmography. There is nothing wrong with just being a fun and visually stunning film, but it lacks some of the heart and connection. It's a treat for the eyes as always, but it forgets to engage the mind.
