Anderson has an almost always amusing approach to finding meaning in the biblical and in the bureaucratic for “The Phoenecian Scheme,” a film that appears lighter than the surprisingly dense “Asteroid City," but still buzzes with the precise care we expect from this singular filmmaker. Unlike Anderson's previous, more contemplative work, this film feels like a jaunt. His latest release might be one of his goofiest movies with its slapstick humor and ridiculous sight gags, but underneath all that, he is exploring deeper issues, like finding purpose in family rather than business and how oligarchs control both. With a cast that rarely missteps, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ may disappoint in that it probably won't become anyone's favorite Wes Anderson movie. That said, it is difficult to dislike, though easy to appreciate.

I am sure you will agree with me when I say that the opening sequence of the movie itself is nothing short of ‘hysterical’. Drastically editing ‘Zsa-Zsa Korda’s’ character into a monotone Benicio del Toro brings us Korda stickered as a blundering CEO of Zsa who almost dies trying but manages to live through his 6th plane crash. What do you think would happen if some miracle allowed us a sneak peak of Korda's life while he brainstorms Korda noodle helicopters? To Korda's dismay, hell truly breaks loose when a man gets blown into two and a pilot unfairly loses his job as he is pulled out in packaged form from a crashing plane.  
Korda has some world class defenders, but sadly that's not the highlight, for the highlight of the film is watching Korda try to protect himself whilst being murdered. Oh, and did I mention he intends on virtue-fencing every kingdom out there? Make sure to guard your winter-wonderland castles, because with rulers like Korda out there, nobody is safe. Another headline worth mentioning is the fact that Korda wishes to crown his foster daughter, a nun by the name of 'Liesl’ played by Miah Threappleto.

In order to educate Liesl and negotiate a multi-million dollar deal that aligns in a more ethically comforting way (morally less concerning than Korda has dealt with in the past because this time, no slave labor) he undertakes a globe-trotting mission to raise capital from various sponsors. This includes a prince Farouk (Riz Ahmed), brothers Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, nightclub owner Marseille Bob (Mathieu Amalric), American Marty (Jeffrey Wright), his cousin Hilda (Scarlett Johanssen), and the sometimes unforgettable Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch) who resembles an ancient and deranged old Russian Czar. Even this list of wonderfully cast all-stars hardly does justice to an ensemble that features Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, and Willem Dafoe, and Bill Murray as God. Indeed, this is the moment when Herman Blume finally received the crown.

I find it interesting how Michael Cera, against all odds, wins the film walkover after all actors performed in the same comic register as we’ve come to expect from Anderson. The film is so well cast that even Del Toro and Threapleton were great, but in my humble opinion, the best performance came from the Superbad star portraying an awkward tutor with a secret. Admittedly, he might be the most perfect fit of actor and director ever. Cera has always had a bit of Max Fischer in him, and his mastery of Anderson’s cadence and dialogue is astonishing. As is the case in most works he undertakes, let’s just say he gets to do a lot. And, of course, show off some karate moves.

Following the detailed plots of The French Dispatch and the very ambitious Astro City, what is more likely to baffle audiences on The Phoenician Scheme is how little they’re going to feel invested. The background murder mystery involving Liesl’s mother is present, but Anderson remains vague on what Korda is doing and why he is doing it. Even though the word ‘scheme’ is in the title, the negotiations between Korda and the weird people he encounters are so flabby that they quite literally distract from what the film does well: it sag in pacing and character. Exactly what is Korda’s necessity from Farouk as opposed to Marseille Bob, and what are his different negotiations with them? I have no way of knowing. Most of the time I feel like Anderson and co-writer Roman Coppola have created a plot that is flimsy enough for them to hang whatever passion projects they feel like on.

And what those things are? On a thematic note, “The Phoenician Scheme” serves as a somewhat of a redemption tale, a story about a man who used to be one of the most powerfully cherished people in the world, but in the face of death, or rather the attempts to murder him, he faces a series of existential doubts. Every time he dies in an assassination attempt, Anderson cuts to Heaven for some fascinating biblical tableaus which strongly imply that Korda will not stride through the pearly gates so easily. When Anderson grapples with issues concerning religion and the afterlife in light of leading a morally corrupt life, it seems to be in line with his recent work, which feels more compelling philosophically than his earlier stuff. In the case of “The Phoenician Scheme,” there are moments where Anderson seems to back pedal these ideas, purposefully choosing to ignore the personal and political depravity in favor of sillier comedic antics. There is plenty of room for improvement with this film and Anderson could really strengthen the structure if he delved deeper into these themes.

Factually speaking, there is an unsettling edge to a film featuring such powerful people as parents who ‘play’ with hand grenades and adopt children in waiting for prodigies to spring from the family tree.

Korda Zsa-zsa is said to have lived under these two mottos: 'Who could lick who or whom, I guess,' and 'If something gets in your way, flatten it.' These are not exactly principles one might hope to have and retain in the afterlife. “The Phoenician Scheme” is Wes Anderson’s self-dialogue on the suffocating nature of success and kindness while pondering, more importantly, how someone who has run riotously over everything in the way might begin to see the world in 3D again.