Review of Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) by Chum C — 25 Mar 2014

Yeah, probably my favorite animated movie. This is a complete delight, Wes Anderson expands his mediums while retaining his stylistics. Anderson has never been a cookie cutter or assembly line director, he has kept his esoteric style and humor beginning with his first gem Bottle Rocket. He is aquatinted with co-writer Noah Baumbach who co-wrote The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and afterward directed The Squid and the Whale. And in Fantastic Mr. Fox Anderson's style is emulated and even made better by the stop-motion animation. The tale follows Mr. Fox, (Clooney) a professional chicken and squab -whatever that is- thief who continuously goes on runs with his wife Felicity (Streep). On one occasion they are both trapped in a fox trap and Felicity reveals she is pregnant, and demands that Mr. Fox promises her to give up his current profession if they escape so they can settle down. Mr. Fox does settle down with his family, but the urge to get back to his old ways progresses then eventually spills over, and thats when the 'cluster-cuss' begins.

The movie is less successful at being a children's movie, but is very successful at being a crowd pleaser. The humor could be too high brow for some kids, but they will be entertained by the vivid imagery and the ambient characters. Adults would most likely enjoy the wit and charm in the writing as well a the performances by the voice actors. A higher admiration can be held for the amazingly detailed and unique set pieces and stop-motion.

The usual Anderson suspects are here as well and they serve to season the Anderson flavor and put distinction into their characters. Jason Shwartzman voices Ash, Mr. Foxes son who is inept at sports and puts all his effort into becoming an athlete, while competing in the spotlight with his cousin Kristofferson (Eric Anderson) for his fathers attention. Shwartzman infuses the 'snarkyness' and quirky wit that made his character from Anderson's Rushmore so appealing. This movie is a interwoven gem through out and it's rare to see movies like these anymore as stop-motion is a rarely directed medium.

Yep, High fives all around Mr. Anderson and Mr. Baumbach.