Fantastic Mr. Fox
Film adaptations of books carry a certain amount of risk for filmmakers. The source material must be understood and respected while still allowing room for creative liberties. If done incorrectly, the movie will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Leave it to Wes Anderson and company to get it right with Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Loosely based on the children’s book of the same name by Roald Dahl, Fantastic Mr. Fox sees the titular trickster succumb to his old habits of stealing poultry to bring excitement into his humdrum life. Tired of his thievery, three unpleasant farmers retaliate by uprooting his home and community. As the stakes rise, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) must overcome his faults in order to save his family.
Anderson, known for his meticulous filmmaking style, is perfectly suited for stop-motion animation. While the style may be off-putting to some, it nonetheless remains a visually pleasing, and abundantly orange, picture that begs to be watched in autumn. The picturesque backgrounds will make you feel as though you’ve been thrown into a landscape painting. The cast, which seamlessly adds Clooney and Meryl Streep among the ranks of Anderson’s frequent collaborators, gives life to some wonderfully imperfect characters with the aid of witty and occasionally profound dialogue. Alexandre Desplat’s minimalist compositions enhance the tone of each scene, as does the meaningful selection of 60’s pop-rock. Finally, the workaround they use in lieu of actual profanity is hands down one of the most stupidly brilliant running gags I’ve ever seen in a movie.
What makes Fantastic Mr. Fox worthwhile is how it conveys its themes of finding happiness through self-acceptance, even in unideal situations. All of Mr. Fox’s actions are motivated by an overall discontentment with his life. It isn’t until he learns to reevaluate the perceived shortcomings of himself and his peers that he’s able to truly outwit his opponents and make the most of his situation. While it’s easy to dwell on the negatives in life, Mr. Fox reminds us that embracing the differences in ourselves and each other is what can make life feel truly fantastic.
Rating: 9/10
