Review: FANTASTIC MR FOX

FANTASTIC MR FOX is very mildly fantastic. That’s not a knock. The film is great, but it’s great in a subtle kind of way. It’s an understated comedy that can satisfy audiences both young and old. Adapted for the screen from Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book. He’s also the writer who concocted such great classic tales as CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, both of which have had their moments on screen as well.

The film also takes on the uniquely awkward and quirky dimensions that form within the mind of writer-director Wes Anderson. In case you have no idea who that is, Wes Anderson is the marvelous filmmaker who began with BOTTLE ROCKETS (some of you may still have puzzled looks on your faces) but went on to make RUSHMORE. There we go! That’s the big “Aha!” I was hoping for. Anderson went on to make THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU and most recently DARJEELING LIMITED.

FANTASTIC MR FOX tells the story of the title character, voiced by George Clooney. Mr. Fox is fantastic, or at least everyone thinks he is and he plays into that role… but, at what cost? Mr. Fox is good at one thing, besides being fantastic, and that one thing is stealing birds from farmers. The problem is, Mr. Fox promised his wife Mrs. Fox (Meryl Streep) he would stop the dangerous vocation of stealing birds and instead becomes a newspaper columnist, a job at which he is less suited and one that he otherwise has no passion for.

As the now not-quite-so-fantastic Mr. Fox seeks a new tree home for his family in an effort to feel more fantastic again, he discovers the perfect home… which just so happens to be conveniently located nearby the three farms, owned by three of the meanest farmers in the land. Thus begins Mr. Fox’s secret pursuit of his glory days reborn, but not without the help of his opossum friend Kylie, voiced by Wally Wolodarsky.

Initially, life is grand once again for Mr. Fox, living the high life of foul larceny, but in time allows his passion to take control of his life leading to unintended circumstances. His actions have cumulative consequences that boil to a head, putting his and other fellow wildlife families lives in danger. Will Mr. Fox be the cause of misery and destruction, or will his true fantastic nature emerge when it’s needed most?

FANTASTIC MR FOX is an altogether new kind of film for Wes Anderson, in that it is filmed using stop-motion animation. That is to say, intricately animated clay characters constructed on jointed metal armatures, a la A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WALLACE & GROMIT, et al. However, this is not your typical Tim Burton-esque animated fantasy extravaganza. The animation in this film is splendidly old school. The style and technique used in this film is purposely rough around the edges, giving the film a familiar but fresh nostalgic charm.

On the surface, the animation in FANTASTIC MR FOX may appear a bit too simple, but what becomes immediately apparent is the attention to detail Anderson underwent in conveying facial expressions and gestures that speak volumes. The hurky-jerky motion fits in well with the dialogue, written to feel exactly like a Wes Anderson film. In fact, much of this film feels similar to elements from THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. Both are stories about dysfunctional families, a common theme in Anderson’s films.

Some may feel like Clooney’s voice as Mr. Fox stands out a bit more than the rest of the cast, but that’s fine because it is Mr. Fox’s story after all. However, the interesting thing I noticed about this is that I did notice his voice distinctly as a recognizable voice more readily than the others… and it didn’t bother me. My theory is that Mr. Fox is very much a character similar to many that Clooney has portrayed, and has done so with great success. Clooney’s recognizable cadence and vocal tendencies served Mr. Fox extremely well.

Mr. Fox’s son Ash, voiced by Jason Schwartzman, is an awkward and different young fox, sharing many similarities in character to Richie (Luke Wilson) in TENENBAUM, who feels unloved and replaced by the arrival of Eli Cash (Owen Wilson). Eric Anderson (brother of Wes Anderson) voices cousin Kristofferson, who arrives to stay with the Fox’s and proves to be good at everything he does, causing Ash to feel overshadowed. Schwartzman’s performance as Ash is perhaps the best part of FANTASTIC MR FOX. He is funny, but is a sort of way that we can relate to and also feel a bit sorry for. Anderson does a wonderful job at bringing that certain quality about Schwartzman’s voice and delivery to life in the animation of Ash’s expressions and body language.

The cast of FANTASTIC MR FOX rounds out well, featuring Bill Murray as Badger, Owen Wilson as Coach Skip, Michael Gambon as farmer Franklin Bean and a very entertaining performance from a certain brilliant actor as Rat, who serves as Mr. Fox’s non-human nemesis. The film is filled with great dialogue, witty and smart. The humor is a type that has the audience undergo frequent but comfortable chuckles and giggles, with a wink-wink sensibility.

FANTASTIC MR FOX delivers a distinctly story book style and feeling, one of which I haven’t seen an equivalent since JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. The screen is filled with warm, Earthy colors and tiny, well-placed details in the set design add depth and curiosity to the experience of watching the film. Whereas Wes Anderson’s previous films are strictly intended for adult audiences, FANTASTIC MR FOX is accessible to children as well as adults. Kids will get the general idea of the story and much of the humor while also being fascinated by the animated animal characters, while adults will enjoy the life humor and human intricacies that can be read between the lines.