I finally got around to seeing Fantastic Mr. Fox.  What an amazing film!!  It’s one of those surprise films that takes you on a wonderful ride through another world – the world of Mr. Fox and his family.   Directed by Wes Anderson, it’s based on the children’s book that I never read.  Or if I did, I don’t remember it.   Mr. Fox is a sly fox that makes his living stealing chickens everyday.  He eventually meets and falls in love with the future Mrs. Fox.    She is pregnant with his child, and manages to convince Mr. Fox to give up his conniving ways to settle down and raise a family in a respectable way.  But taming a fox is not easy, and when working for a newspaper and being poor becomes a complete bore for Mr. Fox, he gets antsy.  He finally manages to purchase a home in a big oak tree, which happens to be across the fields from three of the nastiest corporate farmers ever: Boggis, Bunce and Bean -- "one fat, one short, one lean" but "nonetheless equally mean."  And therein reawakes the fox.   What ensues next is complete chaos and a feast for the eyes, in an all-out war between the farmers and Mr. Fox and his family. 

What I love about this film is the little surprises throughout.   The films opens on a fox hunt date, where the sweethearts get a few thrills and a cheap meal.  The animation is fun and hysterical, as they walk, then run, then sneak through the farm.  Rather than show the killings, we see feathers poof into the air and the rest is left to the imagination.  I loved when Mr. Fox sat down all prim and proper to dinner, taking his time getting ready to eat, really savoring that moment – then devolving into sheer madness as he devours his plate like the savage beast he is.  The film does not comment on these moments, rather they are left there like a complete normal event.  And what was up with his son?  We never really find out.  He sulks around in a white towel cape and makes all sorts of funny, angry, jealous faces.   The rivalry between he and his cousin becomes a joy to watch.   I also enjoyed the very strange moments when characters ‘eyes went all swirly, as if they were in a trance.  This mostly happens to the possum, who is dragged into helping Mr. Fox kill chickens, even when he lacks the teeth to do so. 

Even the trailer for the film was a complete surprise.  Here we have a rather stiff, retro looking film which honestly, did not grab my attention the first few times I’d seen it.  I have heard quite a few people who thought the film looked ugly, or “different” and therefore deemed it not worthy of viewing.   This is a shame, because this film is really wonderful and I’m afraid it won’t get the attention it deserves.  The stop motion animation takes control of every facial expression and movement, and the look is really unique.   I like seeing things that are different, because why should every film look the same?  Are we only to be shown that which is familiar to us?  Are no risks to be taken?  No new ground to be covered?  Wes Anderson has taken a bold step in bringing this to the big screen and that should be celebrated.   It’s already been nominated for a Golden Globe.  Let’s hope for an Oscar nod as well.  Go see this film!  It’s fantastic!

Oh and so is George Clooney in the lead role J