Rating: 
Summary: DVD extras are worth the price
Review: Sure, it's an exceptionally well-made film. Funny, touching, cerebral, visceral, wry, dark, etc. all at once. The supplement DVD has great behind-the-scenes footage that gets into the set design and direction, as well as interviews with the starring cast. Plus, there's a bizarre interview segment with some of the extras that's so uncomfortable and poorly moderated it has to be seen to be appreciated. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: If They Gave Pulitzers for Movies...
Review: The Royal Tenenbaums would certainly deserve one. RT is one of, if not THE most literate and literary films in recent cinema history. This is evident in every aspect of the film, from the narration of the movie, being read from a book called The Royal Tenenbaums, right down to the packaging of this magnificent Criterion Collection DVD.
I saw Tenenbaums only once in the theatre, it played a short time in my city, and I was busy that December. My expectations were extremely high on that first viewing, many people were proclaiming, "It's better than Rushmore!" Which I found hard to believe, having loved that movie so dearly. I was also very aware of the rest of the audience that day, would they "get it," or would I be the only one laughing? Well, RT more than met my expectations, I laughed uproariously, as did the rest of the audience. And of course I was blown away by the sheer magnificence of the movie. All the performances were outstanding, the sharp, literate dialogue Anderson is so good at, was at its peak here, the set-design, the costumes, the music, and so on and so on, was so perfect I literally got goose-bumps. Since then I've been waiting patiently for the DVD release, and was glad to learn that it would be a Criterion Collection Special Edition right off the bat.
The packaging is wonderful, the "book design" of the sleeve, the Eric Chase Anderson drawings, and of course the extras on the second disc. Because of these things I have bumped up my rating to a perfect 5 stars. But also because having viewed the movie two more times, without expectations, I see even more now just how wonderful RT is. I didn't laugh uproariously as I did in the theatre, but I noticed all the subtle nuances in every scene, most of which are in the background or on the edge of the frame. I listened to the deft dialogue, and understood each character better because of it. I studied the movie during these two viewings, and it lost none of its charm, or wicked humor. For a movie geek like me I know the more I watch it the more I'll catch, and with a movie like RT you can never catch quite everything.
I'm sure many people will post more reviews here, after buying or renting Tenenbaums, saying how unfunny it was. I'm sorry you didn't get it. But don't feel bad, a lot of people don't...get it, that is. And as Kent Jones in his essay on RT claims, "...[I]t's difficult to comprehend how anyone could NOT get the work of such an exquisite storyteller."
Rating:
Summary: just as funny as I thought
Review: When The Royal Tenenbaums came out I knew I had to buy it. It had an amazing cast including my two favourite actors (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson) and it had a few others I also thought were really funny (Gene Hackman, Gwenyth Paltrow). From the opening scene I knew this was going to be one of my favourite movies and it was. It's packed with laughs and witty jokes. A must buy for anyone who likes comedy movies.
Rating: 
Summary: A Royal Treat...
Review: A friend took me to this film at the theater for my birthday and it was the best present I got.
All of the performances were really terrific. It was nice to see Ben Stiller playing a regular guy instead of the screwball characters he usually plays. Gene Hackman was definitely the highlight of the film for me. Royal Tenenbaum is a wonderfully slimy character when we meet him, but it is nice to see him change a bit later in the film and redeem himself. The three Tenenbaum children seem a tad bit too exceptional. Perhaps it would have been better if one of them had been ordinary. Still, I did enjoy them, even though I didn't connect with them like I did with Royal. The film is brilliantly shot and well executed. I like the fact that the humor is dark, and subtle, unlike many comedies that sledge hammer one with their humor.
The DVD is nice, with a thoughtful commentary on disc 1 and then leaving disc 2 for all of the extras and it is packed with them, including interviews with cast, outtakes, galleries of the art in the film, and an Independent Film Channel Documentary. It is great that Criterion has done the only DVD release, rather than Touchstone doing a Vanilla DVD & Criterion doing the Special Edition, as was done with Rushmore. The packaging is a nice compromise. The outside sleeve is a photographic cover, which Touchstone probably wanted, but the actual DVD case has the artwork of Eric Anderson, which is in the same style as the Criterion Rushmore cover. The booklet inside is informative and thoughtfully written. There is also a wonderful insert that gives a layout of each room in the Tenenbaum house, similar to the map in the Rushmore package which had a map highlighting the important places in the film.
A great package which I'm sure will have Blockbuster cringing as they don't normally carry Criterion collection versions of films. This release obviously has the financial backing of Touchstone as it is much cheaper than other Criterion titles.
Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Family isn't a word, it's a sentence....
Review: I can even describe how much I enjoyed this movie. It has to be
one of the best movies I have ever seen. It's safe to say I bought
the DVD today when it was released. Not only is the movie such
a joy to watch, but the DVD was produced by The Criterion
Collection, which means the presentation of the film will be very
special to view. Rushmore, Wes Anderson's prior film, was quite
incredible, but The Royal Tenenbaums is just so detailed and
exquisite, that it kindly goes beyond Rushmore, and many people's
heads for that matter. I particularly enjoy the art on the cover of this
edition of the film. I believe that Anderson's brother created the
drawing, as well as other production sketches that are included
inside the DVD case. In fact, I love the cover, it has to be one of
the best covers I've ever seen for a Criterion release. It shows
Ritchie as a young buy releasing his falcon Mordecai. You can see
the Tenenbaum Tower where Ritchie is standing. Now, if only I can
find a huge poster to hang in my room. Ebay here I come! What makes the film so great is the attention to detail. There is so much story to describe, that only by
watching the movie multiple times, will you be able to absorb every fabric that the feature has to offer.
The supplemental material that comes with the DVD is fantastic, it describes every room in the house
to the slightest detail. The sketches were drawn before production began on the movie so Wes would
have more detail in which to show his crew. The Royal Tenenbaums is basically about a father attempting to reconcile with his family after many
years of neglect and abuse. Now, why he's doing it, and how he will do this, is another story altogether.
Let's see how much story I can cram in a paragraph. Ready? Here goes! Ok, Three siblings, one is adopted, Ritchie, Chas, and Margot. Ritchie is a Tennis superstar, Chas is
a brilliant accountant, and Margot is a marvelous playwright. Simple right? Yeah right. Ritchie is in love
with Margot (his adopted sister) which when the news of her marriage comes around, ruins his
performance as a tennis player causing him to retire from the sport. Chas suffers a tragic loss when his
wife passes away in a tragic accident, and becomes paranoid with his two boys. Margot becomes
bored in her marriage, and begins an affair with wannabe Tenenbaum Ejiah. Let's not forget about Mr.
Tenenbaum himself, he's been living in a hotel room since his seperation (and impressionment) from his
wife. He's an estranged father and husband that needs to find a new home before he is permanetanly
removed from his hotel room. And Mrs. Tenenbaum? Well, let's just say she doesn't miss her husband
too much. The film goes into detail of every child's past, displaying where the damage was done and by whom.
Failure is a recurrent theme in the movie, as in all of Anderson's pictures. The detail in the storytelling
is incredible, and I'd love to describe it all, but all I have to say is that you must watch this film, or own it
if you can. Chas' dalmation mice are so adorable, and play a part of the plot, as does every aspect of the
movie. Why did Royal shoot Chas with a BB gun? Why is Margot missing a finger? Why does Elijah
want to become a Tenenbaum so badly? What does the song Needle in the Hay mean? And why does
Ritchie attempt suicide? These are questions, and many more questions, that can only be ansered by
watching this excellent movie. While you're at it, watch Rushmore too. The soundtrack for both films
are great, and greatly enhance the film. Well, Amelie is being released next week, can't wait for that...
Rating:
Summary: Epic
Review: THE ROYAL TENENBUAMS is a big, ungainly treasure chest of feelings and people. Like a piece of music or the classical European novels it takes after, characters and themes enter and leave, tones and styles are woven together, things diverge into byways and reunite for the final fireworks. It's a massive creation from director Wes Anderson, whose RUSHMORE was less ambitious and yet not nearly so controlled. It's a TV sitcom reimagined as grand metropolitan family epic of genuises. Especially as it nears its finale, the film has the uncanny scope of a Greek tragedy that's not tragic at all--it's a fine human comedy with the usual frailty and melodrama exaggerated to the point of mad, brilliant genius. This gem sprawls out all over the carpet like a kid emptying every toy from the chest and combining them for one humongous play session--we doubt he'll finish what he's started, but we're wrong, and happy about it. It's the movie that, say, A BEAUTIFUL MIND wanted to be. That film longed for this one's fire, its breadth, its brain and its balls. And it still wouldn't beat it for sheer pleasure. For something so wired, you come out strangely at peace. Watching it, we get some kind of relief, assurance as we plunge headlong into that gaping mouth: everything has been taken care of.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect film?
Review: This movie excels in so many areas. It is hilarious at moments and sad at others. There is so much that can be said for Wes Anderson's 3rd and brilliant effort. The story is top notch and the acting by this impressive ensemble cast is excellent. There are so many subtle jokes that a single viewing most likely won't allow you to hear or see all the hilarious moments. The soundtrack to this movie is in a word perfect. Every song has meaning to each member of the Tenenbaums. This is the first movie in quite a while where I walked out of the theater with a large smile on my face and was still laughing walking to the car. 5 stars doesn't do this film justice, but that's all that was allowed.
Rating:
Summary: Five Star Disappointment
Review: So yeah. Tenebaums was great. Fun, witty, Wes Anderson doing his thing. But I can't help but feel the slightest bit disappointed, even if I blame myself. When "Rushmore" came out, I was fifteen. I had never heard of Wes Anderson, mucb less seen "Bottle Rocket". When I left the theater after seeing "Rushmore" for the first time, I knew I was on to something. I had laughed the whole way through, not really understanding the experience as it happened. Over the next couple years, I would come to understand the movie, as it came to understand me. "Rushmore" became my favorite film, followed closely [and still competing for #1] by [with] "Bottle Rocket". I was so excited for "Tenenbaums" when I heard about it, that I searched for all the news, and bought myself a ticket to the premiere in NY. So I went, expecting it to be nothing short of my new favorite film. Was it? No. But very, VERY close. All of the characters were awesome - witty, nuanced. Eli's [Owen Wilson's] scenes were hilarious. But the plot wasn't there. The whole time I was in the theater [first, second and third times], I felt like I was being seduced by its feel and its tone, that the music and the dialogue and the shots led me away from fundamental pieces like the plot. Plus, the original version opened to "Hey Jude". How could I not be immediately pulled in? Also, I love Bottle Rocket and Rushmore so much that I wasn't willing to let myself do anything but love this film. But it wasn't all there. And maybe I'll be proved wrong when I watch it again and again after it is released tomorrow. For now though, I am disappointed. The humor is there the whole time. There are a thousand amazing quotables which will come to define my vernacular very soon. But "Rushmore" and "Bottle Rocket" are better movies. Plain and simple. I know I will come to love this movie as much as the aforementioned, that is certain. But as a film, it's not put together as clearly or seamlessly. Still, it is very funny and at times profound. How can we not love the scenes in the tent or the shaving sequence? It is beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: One of the most clever films I've seen in years. And, the only movie that is just as good if not better than Rushmore. Wes Andreson has definately done it again. This film is a great way to get away from the usual big budget hollywood stuff. Finally someone knows how to make a good film.
Rating:
Summary: Wes Anderson: a contemporary auteur
Review: Wes Anderson is the freshest voice in modern Hollywood. Whether or not you are on the same wavelength as his worldview may determine your opinion of The Royal Tenenbaums. His third film is a "toy boy" of sorts -- more elaborate and perhaps a bit more "wandering" that his previous offerings. However, Wes Anderson's third film (which he directed and co-wrote with Owen Wilson) is a beautiful and brilliantly acted, directed, and written film. It is also a film that rewards multiple viewings (for those individuals who judged The Royal Tenenbaums after only one viewing -- BEWARE!). If you enjoyed Rushmore and/or Bottle Rocket (Wes' first two offerings), you will surely enjoy this film. Mr. Anderson is clearly a contemporary auteur -- a director who creates films with a specific vision and style. The cast is very good to excellent -- with the old Wes favorites (including cult hero Kumar, as Pagoda) and an absolutely amazing performance by Gene Hackman. Beyond the fantastic film, the phenomenal Criterion Collection 2-disc set provides even greater reason to purchase this film.
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