The Phoenician Scheme

'The Phoenician Scheme' is Wes Anderson being Wes Anderson (complimentary). I loved this! 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' and 'The French Dispatch' are works of this director that I've enjoyed most, but this 2025 release is on another level for me.

It's as amusing as it as stunning, Anderson films are unmistakably Anderson and this one is no different; it has everything you'd expect from a picture of his. The all-star cast list is usual for his flicks as well, here there are plenty of actors that I enjoy; so it was never gonna disappoint, I guess.

Benicio del Toro is an outstanding lead, I've always liked him as an actor ('Sicario', 'The Hunted') but this is his first performance (at least from the ten flicks featuring him that I've now seen) that is truly top notch in my mind; one impossible to forget, without doubt.

Mia Threapleton is the only prominent onscreen performer that I wasn't previously aware of; weirdly mind, because I recognised her voice 100% but when looking at her filmography, it turns out I've apparently not seen her in anything - odd, perhaps someone sounds just like her?

Where to begin in regards to the rest of the cast? Michael Cera is terrific, Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston are top fun, Mathieu Amalric gives as good as Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright and Benedict Cumberbatch (quite the look!). So many other big names in there too.

I still have eight Wes Anderson films to see at some point, but having only watched five he is evidently a reliable guy. I'd be surprised if I disliked any of those other works of his, especially as I didn't actually definitively like 'Moonrise Kingdom' but even that has its positives.

Myself I feel very safe .

The film was very promising at the beginning or up to halfway through.

But the humor was certainly very good, I was fascinated by how well Michael Cera could imitate this Norwegian or Scandinavian accent. It was also refreshing to see that new actors also appeared in his film.

Of course, there were also some regular actors. Something was missing, although the story initially sounded promising. Yes, the film was very symmetrical, but it still doesn't help with the somewhat shaky story. I give the film 6.5 to 7/10.

Loved it as all the works of Mr Anderson, Asteroid City still my favorite of all times but this is amazing to watch, the characters are stylistic talking very unique, and the story at the end was one of how a father is willing to do anything for their child no matter what, which is a very heartwarming message inside a thriller drama spionage movie

Incredible to see all the A-listers Mr. Anderson is capable of gather in a single movie! Was surprised with Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston and Scarlett Johansson!

Good movie

By now, audiences know exactly what to expect from Wes Anderson's films. He still has his signature style, but he hasn't really evolved since “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” As a result, there are few surprises left. But Anderson's strengths are still evident here. The characters are quirky, and the cast is star-studded, even in the smallest supporting roles. The playful visual style, including postcard aesthetics and plenty of symmetry, is, of course, also present.

I should emphasize that Anderson is back to telling a coherent story. Although it is still very fragmented into episodes, it seems a little more focused than, for example, “The French Dispatch.” The three main characters, played by Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera, form the common thread, and all three are thoroughly convincing. The film also offers a few laughs and is mostly entertaining. If I wasn't already a bit tired of Anderson's formula, I would certainly rate “The Phoenician Scheme” a bit higher. But it’s good either way.

Aesthetically, it's Wes.
emotionally, it's flat.

Incredible. Grand Budapest level Wes.