What can you say about a Wes Anderson movie, immediately after having seen it? Not much, besides "I'm going to see it again, wanna come?"

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is just like The Royal Tenenbaums in exactly the same way that The Royal Tenenbaums is just like Rushmore -- Anderson has managed to create a repertoire for himself (signature cuts, signature fonts, signature sounds, signature stars, even signature dialogue fills like "by the way"), with elements that run through every movie, without ever repeating himself.

In terms of plot, character, and theme, The Life Aquatic is both unlike every other Wes Anderson movie and unlike every other movie you've seen this year. I've been thinking about it, and I think this movie may be, in its own way, simultaneously Anderson's most and least grown-up movie ever. In fairness, I can think of ways that distinction applies to Rushmore and Tenenbaums too, and even Bottle Rocket to an extent. But I think it applies here. This movie unflinchingly leaves wounds open in a way no other Anderson movie has, all while taking place in his most fantastic (and hilarious) imaginary universe yet.

I understand that the critics aren't really digging this movie. I think Ezra said it best as we were leaving the theater: "I understand why this movie's getting bad reviews. People are idiots." See it for the unbelievable soundtrack. See it for William Dafore's greatest performance ever. See it for America's sweetheart, Bill Murray.

I can't wait to see it again. Maybe then I'll have more intelligent things to say about it.

There's only one problem: where was Mr. Littlejeans? Where was the Pagoda?

Just two years until The Fantastic Mr. Fox.