Oddly enough, I think it’s his “style” I’m not a big fan of, and I’m not sure why. In many ways it seems like a diorama come to life and while I respect that he has his owns style to things, I think my preference is toward a more gritty reality. Think Scorsese.
It’s just a flavor thing, really.
On the other hand–I think his style was perfect for telling “The Grand Budapest Hotel” story. But even that would not have worked for me if not for the brilliant performance of Ralph Fiennes.
I think the word I want to use is “pretentious”.
I know that sounds very insulting but I’m not really trying to insult him. The best thing I can say is that it’s just my particular taste. The style attempts to overwhelm the plot for me. I could not even get through “The Life Aquatic” or “Moonrise Kingdom”
Also anything he casts Owen Wilson in loses points for me. He is my least favorite actor hands down. He’s on my “I don’t get” list, along with Kathie Lee Gifford, Kim Kardashian and others.
But as I said, I did like this film. I actually thought of the list of Best Picture nominees it was one of the top three or four.
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick