Going to the Dogs

I was kind of worried about Isle of Dogs (2018). How many sad dog deaths were there going to be, and how emotionally damaged would I, and especially Ms. Spenser, be? SPOILER - not as bad as expected.

This is a stop-motion animation, directed by Wes Anderson. It is set in a near future Japan, where a bad strain of dog flu is going around. As a result, Mayor Kobayashi and his major domo Mayor Domo order all dogs exiled to a garbage island. He starts with his own son, Atari's dog, Spots. Spots is put on the island in a locked carrier, and can't figure out how to get out.

Then, it's six months later. We meet some of the dogs eking out an existence on Garbage Island, lead by black dog Chief. They all long for the life they once had, in comfortable homes with beloved masters - except Chief, who is his own dog.

Then Atari Kobayashi crashes on the island. He has stolen a plane to save his dog. He gets help from the dogs (except Chief, who has gone feral). They find the cage with a pile of bones and a name tag, so it looks like Spots is dead - dies of starvation and thirst in a locked carrier. Nightmare!

Shortly after this, one of Atari's classmates, an American exchange student, comes out to the island as well. She's a student journalist who thinks something fishy is going on with the dog edict.

I'll skip the spoilers. except to say that Spots is actually fine. The movie isn't really so much about the plot (or I just missed a few pieces). It's about the setup and the visuals. The setup is cute - the dogs speak English, so we can understand them. The people only speak Japanese, and if dogs are listening, they aren't subtitled. Just like the dogs, we don't understand people-talk. Actually, I understand a little Japanese, and it really isn't necessary. It's obvious what they are talking about, even if you don't know the words.

There was some concern about how stereotypically Japan is portrayed. Sumo wrestlers, poisoned wasabi, and a boy named Atari. However, my Japanese friends like it well enough, so if they don't have a problem, I guess I can live with it.