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PHOENICIAN SCHEME, THE

The Phoenician Scheme delivers great set designs, expressive performances, and a funny story that perfectly matches the tone. Some things about this Wes Anderson film surprised me.

The storyline follows wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) who appoints his only daughter, Liesl, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new business adventure to make his family's fortune, he becomes a target for scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins. During their travels, father and daughter meet a string of eccentric investors -- played by Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and Benedict Cumberbatch -- as they try to secure their family's legacy.

The film starts off with bang, immediately setting you into the situation Korda is currently in, and the urgency for him to set up his family's wealth for future generations, even if it means putting himself in dangerous situations. I love how the color pops in the set designs, but that's nothing new for director Wes Anderson. Now the humor and, whether it is funny, will vary from person to person -- in my theater everyone laughed a lot, but I personally didn't find the film to be all that funny. Mia Threapleton is quite funny in her role as Liesl and Michael Cera definitely is humorous as Bjorn, mainly for his dynamic with the nun. Reagen (Bryan Cranston) was very enjoyable in his small basketball scene, but even with all these positives there were some negatives. The film starts to feel like a slog as you wait for the next thing to happen, especially because of how the film is edited. It builds up to one major event which lasts give minutes perhaps. As a viewer I found these events unsatisfying compared to what I anticipated. I also felt the film a bit soulless, not so much the cinematography, acting or set design, but in the story aspect itself, which I found to be just like other Wes Anderson films. If you are a Wes Anderson fan you will enjoy this, but even if you are not, I think you will find it interesting.

The film addresses the pursuit of wealth and what it can do to you, as well as what you have to sacrifice in order to achieve wealth for the long term. We see this by Korda's focus on money.

I give The Phoenician Scheme 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters on June 6, 2025.

By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

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Wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.