A Whimsical Fantastic Mr. Fox
Anderson stages Mr. Fox’s raids (which also involve a dim-witted opossum) with madcap tongue-in-cheek brilliance that will please older kids, though the humor in the movie is probably too dry for kids younger than thirteen. (Also, don’t bring a kid who is likely to be inspired to climb over an electrified fence the way the heroes do, their bodies hilariously X-rayed by the voltage as they climb).
The movie is short and it spends a lot of time stuck underground after the farmers trap the animals and their friends (including Bill Murray as a badger who gives Mr. Fox legal advice), forcing them to burrow ever deeper with little hope of breaking the siege. But Anderson keeps the pace lively by supporting his strange exchanges of dialogue (the badger claims, out of nowhere, to be a demolitions expert) and many funny visual set pieces (such as the scenes in which the gang’s network of tunnels is shown in cross section as they bustle) with rousing little action scenes and a bright soundtrack. The farmers, for instance, launch their attack on the seemingly helpless but actually far cleverer animals to the strains of the Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man.” Most other directors would have used the song as an underdog anthem, but Anderson, for all his flaws, never stumbles into cliché.
Anderson’s sensibility, which has so often and so justly been mocked (YouTube buzzes with parodies of his work, all of them emphasizing the studied hipster nonchalance and isn’t-this-cute pieces of visual flair), may be the perfect match for Dahl. Who was Willy Wonka if not a cosmic hipster, a precious perfectionist, and an irony-attuned dandy? And making a film for kids means Anderson has to keep things popping (sparing us the longueurs of, say, The Darjeeling Limited) and keep things light (so no wrist-slashing scenes as in Tenenbaums). Anderson is still fueled by childlike whimsy, but in Fantastic Mr. Fox it brings nothing but grateful smiles.
Wasn’t Anderson one of the “We Support Roman Polanksi” club? Someone on this film was so I think I’ll pass.
Slveryder’s right. Anderson signed the petition. So if anybody’s thinking this looks like a fun little family movie, remember: Wes Anderson wouldn’t mind if one of his friends raped your kid.
If I decide that I am curious enough to see it, I’ll just wait for the DVD. That way I can just Netflix it — the absolute minimum chance of any of my money going to him.
Yes, and lets not forget that George Clooney despises America. I won’t see any movie Clooney is in, ever again. He has his right to free speech and so do I.
Now that I know Anderson signed the petition to let Polanski go, I’m not seeing it even on Netflix. I’m sure the reviews will remark how “mysteriously” this “sure-fire hit” didn’t “catch fire with audiences.” Sure, it’s a mystery. Just like the Ft. Hood shooter.
It has George Clooney. Not going to give any money to this project. In fact, I would urge Conservatives to non-confrontational boycott Hollywood. Don’t go to any movies and question renting any from the past 10 years. Its not that hard considering the amount of money it costs to go to the movies that are mostly garbage anyway. I am fighting with my wallet, meaning not taking it out to help pay for the scum that hates me and what I stand for.
Really? You won’t see this because it was directed by Wes and starred by Clooney? Wow, you must have high moral standards that you also missed on “This is It.” because of MJ’s molestation charges and Up because it was made by Disney. Give me a break.
There are more important things in this world than Entertainment, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. And, to answer your question; I hate MJ enough that I will never watch “This is It” from that pervert. As for “Up,” I have thought about watching it, but probably won’t.