Mayor Kobayashi of Megasaki, Japan has decreed that in order to combat the dog flu that is plaguing his city, all dogs will be banned from the city and relocated to Trash Island. When a young boy loses his dog thanks to the Mayor’s shortsighted policy, he goes to Trash Island in order to get him back.

Wes Anderson directs this claymation hybrid movie starring his usual suspects in Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand. Additionally, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, and Jeff Goldbloom join in on the fun. The story is mechanically sound but comes off as overly safe. The visuals are where the risk was taken and it pays off in spades. The claymation style gives this movie the heart and soul that the story was lacking.

Isle of Dogs is a fun and wacky movie, with little easter eggs spread throughout for movie buffs to enjoy. The visual details are crisp and the hand-crafted character models feel alive and full of energy. Isle of Dogs is currently available to stream on Disney+.