Fantastic Mr. Fox
Director: Wes Anderson
Writer: Roald Dahl (novel); Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach (screenplay)
2009
Loosely based on the book by Roald Dahl, Wes Anderson’s film tells the story of a family of foxes, particularly Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) out looking for a big score from the farmers along his property. It’s a little bit Ocean’s Eleven and a lot Wes Anderson. The animation is amazing and quirky and the voice actors impart their personalities onto their animated characters giving them life. But don’t let the animation fool you. This is every bit of a Wes Anderson film as is possible, which makes it oh so enjoyable! Some say the autuer is dead, but I say the idea of the auteur in cinema is alive and well with Wes Anderson leading the pack. His innovativeness, distinct style, quirky odd characters, way if storytelling, and superb penchant for music that fits so perfectly in the film it melds with it, prove his ability to stamp his films with his persona letting it shine through so you know it’s a Wes Anderson film. Even though this is an animated film, it is clearly and overtly a Wes Anderson picture and not every director can put their mark on an animated film. It takes a helluva good director with a helluva sense of style.
You would be a fool not to see Fantastic Mr. Fox, it’s cussing great.
