The Nostalgic Colour Palette of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom

The film Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson uses yellow and blue, representing good and bad respectively and signifying how children see the world –simple and complex, hopeful and helpless, yellow and blue, and no gray areas. 

You can genuinely grasp a movie’s core when you delve into its color palettes. Colors can evoke emotions, set the tone, and create a unique atmosphere. 

Few directors harness this capability as idiosyncratically as Wes Anderson. In every frame of his films, you can unearth a wealth of information about the characters and the plot, and it all comes down to his masterful use of color.

But color is just one facet of Wes Anderson’s cinematic brilliance. His costumes, settings, and themes weave a cohesive thread through his extensive filmography. Renowned for his dreamlike aesthetics and rhythmic narrative tone, Wes Anderson stands as a modern-day auteur. 

Influenced by the French New wave cinematic movement, the colour palettes of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom have captivated audiences and critics alike, sparking discussions on social media and inviting viewers to reimagine their days within Anderson’s distinctive stylistic vision.

As we delve into the enchanting world of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom,” we’ll explore how he utilizes color to convey emotion, advance the plot, and develop his characters. 

The film serves as a prime example of Anderson’s mastery in this realm, and we’ll witness how the color palettes of “Moonrise Kingdom” play a critical role in structuring the narrative and evoking a profound sense of nostalgia.

WES ANDERSON’S COLORFUL JOURNEY

When Wes Anderson transitioned from the realm of animated films to live-action, he carried his cartoonish sensibilities with him. From that point on, his use of saturation and brightness became even more pronounced, creating a signature visual style that is unmistakably his own.

One of his standout works, “Moonrise Kingdom,” unfolds on a fictional island off the New England coast in 1965. It’s a tale of young love between Suzy and Sam, two twelve-year-olds who fall in love and embark on an adventure of their own. 

The film oozes with a nostalgic charm, featuring vintage-inspired silhouettes, from Suzy’s pink shift dress to Sam’s green scout suit.

In this film, yellow and blue emerge as the driving forces behind the movie’s mood. They symbolize good and bad, with the scouts sporting yellow bandanas around their necks and the main antagonist, Social Services, donning a solid blue coat.

This creative decision to associate yellow with good-natured characters and blue with antagonists is ingenious because it aligns with how many of us instinctively interpret these colors.

DECODING THE COLOR PALETTE OF “MOONRISE KINGDOM”

Yellow, in the context of the film, is closely associated with positivity. Researchers have long suggested that yellow stimulates the brain to release serotonin, positively influencing our mood. 

However, an excess of yellow can lead to eye fatigue, and that’s where Wes Anderson’s expertise comes into play. By using muted yellow or a mustard hue, he strikes a balance that benefits the overall visual experience of the film.

On the other hand, blue is typically linked with feelings of calm and peace. It can also convey a sense of emotional detachment or coldness. 

Anderson skillfully capitalizes on the idea that an overabundance of blue can evoke unfriendliness, aligning it with the antagonistic elements of the story.

THE NOSTALGIA OF “MOONRISE KINGDOM”

In a world where grays dominate modern clothing and architecture, infusing vibrancy into buildings and clothing helps imbue the film with a nostalgic quality, lending it a timeless appeal. 

At its core, “Moonrise Kingdom” explores how children perceive the world – simple yet complex, hopeful yet helpless, a world painted in shades of yellow and blue, with no room for gray areas. It’s a tale of feeling everything but struggling to find the right words to articulate those emotions.

The vibrant colour palettes of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” infuse the film with nostalgia, reflecting the whimsy and playfulness often associated with childhood. 

Muted yellow takes center stage in the film, speaking volumes about positivity, warmth, happiness, and security. Since the movie revolves around first love, yellow symbolizes the character’s innocence.

The color represents the young love that blossoms between Sam and Suzy, and it’s the color of the tent where they find solace, acceptance, and love in each other’s arms. Both Sam and Suzy come from broken families, seeking a place they can truly call home, and they find it in one another.

In “Moonrise Kingdom,” highly dark hues are used sparingly and only with a specific purpose in mind. 

The film employs high blue contrast in the bell tower scene, a pivotal moment where Sam and Suzy are perched precariously, almost attempting suicide amid a raging thunderstorm. In this scene, the dark blue symbolizes danger and underscores the gravity of the situation.

WES ANDERSON’S TECHNIQUES THAT MAKE HIS FILMS UNIQUE

Wes Anderson, the masterful filmmaker known for his unique and distinctive style, has left an indelible mark on cinema. In exploring the techniques that make his films stand out, we’ll delve into the captivating elements that set him apart from his peers. 

Color 

One of the most striking features of Wes Anderson’s films is his mastery of color palettes. These palettes are a visual delight and a crucial storytelling device that perfectly complements the narrative and enhances the viewing experience. 

The colour palettes of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise” or any of his other films are a testament to his ability to creatively and accurately convey the essence of his stories through visual elements.

Slow Motion

Slow motion, a technique beautifully woven into all of Anderson’s films, sets the stage for many memorable moments. Anderson opts for a more consistent approach, unlike most filmmakers who may use slow motion intermittently. 

He initiates shots at an average speed before gradually shifting into a mesmerizing slow-motion sequence, and it’s this deliberate choice that adds a unique touch to his storytelling.

Animation

What sets Anderson even further apart is his commitment to animation. He animates every scene before filming it, allowing him to craft the desired effect meticulously. 

This meticulous attention to detail and the seamless integration of slow motion contribute to the dreamlike quality of his movies, making them truly unforgettable.

Symmetry

Symmetry is another hallmark of Anderson’s work, showcasing his meticulous precision. Whether it’s the meticulously arranged visual compositions or the symmetrical architecture, his use of symmetry is both intricate and aesthetically pleasing. 

It’s evident that Anderson understands the psychological connection between the human brain and symmetry, and he harnesses this knowledge to captivate his audience.

While many filmmakers oscillate between symmetry and asymmetry, Anderson’s unwavering commitment to this technique sets him apart. 

Every frame, every shot, and every visual element is carefully aligned, creating a sense of harmony that is as pleasing to the eye as it is thought-provoking.

Music

Music plays a pivotal role in all of Anderson’s films, just like the color palettes of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise” Kingdom do. 

Anderson’s soundtracks often reincarnate fast-paced pop and rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. The music in his films becomes a character in itself, enhancing the story’s emotional resonance. 

It’s no wonder his movies are often celebrated for their memorable soundtracks, which stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Typography

Anderson’s distinct style also extends to typography. He draws inspiration from the Old Italian movies he watched during his formative years and consistently uses the Futura font, which has become synonymous with his work. 

Some enthusiasts even affectionately refer to it as “Wes Anderson fonts.” This attention to typography pays homage to his influences and adds another layer of uniqueness to his films.

Audience

Anderson’s storytelling often centers on characters that resemble child-like adults or adult-like children, offering a fresh perspective on the world. 

His films simulate the chronology of teen novels or leisure board games, creating a narrative style that resonates with many audiences. 

While his target audience primarily includes those over twelve, his work also holds valuable lessons for college students pursuing cinematography.

Story Structure

Wes Anderson’s unique approach extends to the structure of his stories. As much as the color palettes of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise” make his storyline more relatable to viewers, The film is not just about the colors or the collection of scenes and acts; they are well-thought-out storylines with clear, well-defined structures. 

Each act comprises an equal number of chapters, ensuring a seamless and engaging narrative flow. This consistent plot structure contributes to the addictive quality of his films, as audiences can readily follow the story from the beginning to the climax.

The Distinct Wes Anderson Costumes and Fashion

Anderson’s films are known not only for their visual and narrative elements but also for the unique fashion choices of the characters. 

Unlike many contemporary movies that feature slim modern fashion, Anderson’s characters often sport classical garments. His preference for materials like corduroy adds a tactile and nostalgic dimension to the viewing experience, fostering curiosity among his audience.

FINAL THOUGHT 

Wes Anderson possesses a profound understanding of the emotional nuances associated with different colors and maintains consistency in these color associations throughout his films. 

When you watch a Wes Anderson film with this awareness, you gain deeper insights into the characters and the plot. The color palettes of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom are no exception, with yellow and blue serving as the emotional anchors of the film.

So, the next time you embark on a journey through one of Wes Anderson’s whimsical worlds, keep an eye out for the key colors he tends to favor. The color palettes, much like his other works, provide a window into the intricate emotional landscapes of his characters and the whimsical yet deeply resonant stories he tells.