THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME

'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').

'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.