“The Grand Budapest Hotel” opens with Tom Wilkinson being shot by a bb gun while the emotive soundtrack plays in the background. He, like other older figures in the beginning of Wes Anderson films, introduces the plot.

We jump back in time to a younger Wilkinson (Jude Law), who learns of the adolescence of the owner of the Grand Budapest Hotel himself, Zero Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham). We then jump back to the film’s central setting where we see Moustafa as a young boy played by Tony Revolori.

The repetitive flashbacks set the stage for a distinctly original story by Anderson—so original, in fact, that it’s almost predictable. The protagonists’ flaws are characterized, and they overcome them as well as they overcome external challenges from murderous fascist sympathizers. However, except for having the most uses of the f-word for an Anderson film as well as a decapitated head, this film is an expositional amalgam of Anderson’s distinguished style, so much that it’s almost too aware that it’s a Wes Anderson film.

Like “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” “Grand Budapest” frontloads much of its exotic elements into the set design, which, elevated by another phenomenal ensemble cast, helps make his latest film feel like his prior work mashed together.

It doesn’t use a new, astounding technique like the stop-motion in “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” nor does it introduce a wildly chaotic narrative backbone like the love story between two 12-year-olds in “Moonrise Kingdom.”

Ralph Fiennes does give a spectacular performance as slightly neurotic hotel concierge M. Gustave, who finds himself framed for murder by former mistress’ son Dmitri (Adrian Brody) and his insane hitman Jopling (Willem Dafoe).

The film bounces between their various antics. Having Jeff Goldblum around as a morally-centered attorney doesn’t hurt either.

Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson have very short roles as minor characters. Among them, though, a bald, tattooed and jiggly Harvey Keitel might very well run away with the best performance in the film.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is well written, layered and highly detailed. While satisfying, however, it doesn’t quite break the ground trodden in past Anderson films.

★★★1/2

ealinko@mavs.coloradomesa.edu