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5 Comments

• 

  Gregory Ehrbar

  March 5, 2010

  Frankly, they had me by opening the movie with “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” which by the way, is mistakenly listed in the credits as performed by The Wellingtons. Actually it is the soundtrack version by the MelloMen, but I’ve seen it mislabeled elsewhere too. And the highly underrated “Love” from “Robin Hood.” How nice.

  The entire score is as unconventional as the film — dominated by banjo and rhythm tracks to give it an “independent film” texture rather than the now-obligatory John Williams-type score (not that I don’t love those scores too, this is just a fresh approach and avoids the modern factory film feel).

  Even the titles are clever, all in keeping not only with a singular director’s vision, but also very much in the Roald Dahl style. This particular book, by the way, is perhaps one of the most challenging to bring to film since it is one of the few Dahl stories without magical fantasy elements.

  I think the overall takeaway, and the thread through all the other comments on this topic is — intelligence. That’s a prized commodity in so much of today’s entertainment, animated or otherwise. This is a film as smart as a fox.
  Rating: 5 / 5
• 

  Nathan Andersen

  March 5, 2010

  When we meet Mr. Fox he’s in a bind – he and Mrs. Fox get caught in a trap and she tells him she’s pregnant and he promises never ever but never again to risk his life taking from farmers. He’ll get a respectable job, as a columnist for the local paper, but two years later (12 in fox years) they have a misfit teen and a visiting cousin and Mr. Fox is feeling middle aged and anxious, and itchy for the danger and criminal excitement of stealing poultry.

  He’s a wild animal at heart, he insists, not made to settle down into age and oblivion. He comes up with a plan, and along with his friend, the possum plumber, plans one last heist, not just any heist but the big one, stealing from the fiercest farmers around: Boggis, Bunce and Bean (you know: one fat, one short, one lean, but uniformly mean). They don’t take it lying down. Mr. Fox’s carefree and careless indiscretions turn into an all out war between the farmers and the animals, and everyone will have to work together and set aside rivalries and resentment and hurt feelings. The danger is real, and they take unnecessary risks, but they have a lot of fun and adventure along the way.

  I really dig the quirky and stylish vibe of the irresponsibly fantastic Mr. Fox. Voiced by George Clooney with flair and a fancy whistle and a click, and animated in a silly and stylish retro stop motion approach. It’s a very fun film, and my wife and I loved it and laughed out loud, a lot, but so did our kids (and so, apparently, did lots of others who couldn’t stop busting up or exclaiming around us in the theaters). The film’s got something for everyone, and stays true to the feel of Roald Dahl’s classic tale while giving it the whimsical feel and quirky delights that can only be found in a Wes Anderson film. The retro-stylish clothing and settings and the family dynamics, especially that between a larger than life but aloof father and a struggling son (played perfectly by Jason Schwartzmann), fit easily into his oeuvre. I loved the look of the film, the delightful attention to detail, the colors and lighting were perfect, and the deliberately low tech touches, where you could see the ruffling hair and wobbling of water, just add to the charm. Great stuff, highly recommended.
  Rating: 5 / 5
• 

  D. Barbour

  March 5, 2010

  This is a rare family friendly movie that feels like an independent film. I love the humor and the clever story, which will draw comparisons to “Chicken Run”, but is original all on it’s own. The vocal performances are great, but the real highlight is the stop-motion animation. One of the best films to juggle being entertaining and smart for adult audiences, while remaining 99% kid-friendly. This would be the best animated film of the year if it weren’t for “Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]” – but it’s pretty darn close!
  Rating: 5 / 5
• 

  Dogville

  March 5, 2010

  Wes Anderson’s screenplay for the Roald Dahl classic Fantastic Mr. Box brings a refreshing update to the original with modern day elements such as conglomerates, yoga, bombs and supermarkets. The new storyline veers away from the original in a number of aspects but is entertaining nonetheless. It’s really more for adults than the usual children classic.

  The casting of George Clooney and Meryl Streep as the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Fox is the wisest and almost natural choice. Clooney’s crafty voice and Streep’s subtleness brings the animated puppets to life. Bill Murray voices the wise attorney Badger. The range of expressions on the characters and the comedic effects they bring shine throughout the movie. Interspersed within are songs from Beatles and Jarvis Cocker. A-
  Rating: 4 / 5
• 

  Kiri Wolfe

  March 5, 2010

  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a movie like this. At first, the animation looks a little cheap. The walks aren’t that realistic. But after you get into the story, you don’t care. The world is textured. It’s beautiful. We don’t see this kind of movie anymore, this stop-motion, and I don’t know if it’s simply just been too long since I’ve seen other stop-motion films like Chicken Run or what–I was enthralled.

  This movie did not have an overly-typical storyline, but at the same time, it was not devoid of one either. The jokes were not written to try and provoke you to laugh out loud; you’ll simply find them funny, perhaps to chuckle. But the thing I really loved about the movie was this–there was a lot of life in the film. Real life, something I identified with in the characters.

  Don’t expect a typical Phase 1, Phase 2, Climax, Ending, kind of film. Don’t expect to be drawn into the story and be spit back out. This isn’t exactly a story that ends with a clever line–it ends with the characters dancing. But I can guarantee you that you will enjoy this movie. It wasn’t a “good” movie. It wasn’t a “bad” movie. It was an “enjoyable” movie. And it’s a higher honor to be an enjoyable movie rather than just a “good” one.
  Rating: 5 / 5

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