ISLE OF DOGS (Rated PG-13)

Judging by his past work in such films as “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” writer-director Wes Anderson has a uniquely quirky style that has garnered him a cult audience following for those who enjoy something often pleasantly and oddly different.

His latest endeavor, the Japanese-themed stop-motion animation feature-length film “Isle of Dogs,” is definitely worth seeking out even if it may not immediately arrive at the local multiplex. This is one to savor and experience on the big screen.

Uniquely constructed in theme and style, “Isle of Dogs” is a visual treat, even if the settings are inordinately bleak, while the human characters speak Japanese with little if any translation.

Oddly enough, whatever is said by 12-year-old hero Atari (Koyu Rankin) and the corrupt Mayor Kobayashi (Kunichi Nomura), running Megasaki City with an iron fist, doesn’t really need subtitles, as the emotions they convey speak a universal language.

By executive decree owing to an outbreak of dog flu, the Mayor has banished all dogs to the isolated Trash Island. Young Atari, an orphan who has the misfortune of being a ward of the Mayor, makes off in a miniature plane to find his beloved canine Spots on the huge garbage dump.

The grungy mongrels Duke (Jeff Goldblum), Rex (Edward Norton), Boss (Bill Murray), and King (Bob Balaban) are all victims of the anti-dog hysteria fostered by the cat-loving Mayor Kobayashi. They take a keen interest in the arrival of the kid they call the Little Pilot.

Interestingly, the canines all speak English, which of course is essential to drive the storyline for the audience. Reluctantly joining the effort to find Spots is Chief (Bryan Cranston), a stray who is definitely the supreme alpha dog.

The scrappy pack of exiled dogs joins Atari on a perilous trek across Trash Island, a desolate wasteland that was once even occupied by a now-decaying amusement park, to combat robot dogs guarding the escape path.

There is much to love about this film, including the one human who speaks English, an exchange student (Greta Gertwig) crusading as a pro-dog activist and acting as the primary nemesis to the evil Mayor Kobayashi.

I would not consider myself a member of the Wes Anderson hardcore constituency but I have certainly enjoyed some of his films. “Isle of Dogs” ranks, in my mind, as one of his very best cinematic efforts on many levels. It’s definitely a must-see film.



‘DECEPTION’ ON ABC NETWORK

The ABC network’s new crime drama series “Deception” is a show about a disgraced magician turning his tricks into a useful enterprise of working with the government to trap and deceive criminals and spies that might not otherwise be caught by the authorities.

During the winter TV press tour, show creator Chris Fedak observed that capturing bad guys by using illusion seemed very much like a show they could call “Magician: Impossible.” This is an observation that obviously calls to mind the beloved “Mission: Impossible” series.

Remember that Martin Landau’s Rollin Hand used elaborate disguises and illusions to trick the bad guys into falling into his trap. That’s pretty much what happens when Cameron Black (Jack Cutmore-Scott) practices deception when he ends up consulting for the FBI.

Falling into a scandal within minutes of the opening scene of the first episode of “Deception,” Black is a popular Las Vegas illusionist (think David Copperfield) who stumbles badly when a dark secret of his success is revealed.

Catching the news coverage of an FBI mission gone wrong when an airplane carrying a most wanted fugitive explodes in a hangar, Black shows up at the crime scene and provocatively declares that law enforcement has been duped by a grand act of deception.

FBI agent Mike Alvarez (Amaury Nolasco) proves to be a big fan of Black’s TV specials, while fellow agent Kay Daniels (Ilfenesh Hadera) is a huge skeptic with zero interest in magic of any kind.

While Black still has a few tricks up his sleeve, he manages to convince the two federal agents that he might know something about how to make an airplane disappear, but head FBI agent Deakins (Laila Robins) throws cold water on any cooperation with a guy that has an ulterior motive.

For his part, Black favors dispensing weighty pronouncements like “magic is deception” and “our minds deceive us every day,” thus turning his showroom banter into a justification for the FBI to start using his services as a consultant.

Black brings along his team of magic act collaborators, including the always watchable Vinnie Jones, playing the growling yet somewhat lovable Gunter, to pad the federal payroll. While Black often preens for his newfound audience, it is a team effort in the end.

“Deception,” full of winks to sleight of hand nonsense, is patently absurd, but that’s not to say it is anything but plenty of fun as long as you are willing to suspend disbelief. It’s a show that seems promising for its entertainment value.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.