I went to see “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” on Sunday afternoon. That was a mistake. Not the decision to go see the film, which was awesome, but the timing.
The theatre was filled with kids and families, and when I saw all those chattering, excited children ramped up to see the film, I got a little worried that I had made a mistake and I was in for a full-on kids’ movie.
But it wasn’t at all. Though the stop-animation and the family-friendly story line (based on a book by Roald Dahl) make this movie appeal to families, it’s equally a great story for grown ups.
I mean, I pretty much knew that. Director Wes Anderson has a way of making films that give back as much as you put into them. You know what I mean?
“Rushmore,” “The Life Aquatic” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” are perfect examples of this. The first time you watch them they’re funny and entertaining and beautiful to watch – but every time you go back you learn something new, you pick up on a whole other layer of detail and wit that you didn’t notice before.
“Mr. Fox” is Anderson’s first animated film, but it has many of the characteristics of his other movie -- smart writing, clever dialogue, perfect composition in every frame, a vintage-y throwback look -– all of those features are there.
It’s also starring many of the cast-members he likes to work with – Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray – and some other new additions, George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Willem Dafoe as the villainous rat. It’s a good cast.
So here’s what happens.
As Mr. Fox, George Clooney partly reprises his Danny Ocean role – but with fatherhood, family and responsibility mixed in.
He’s a fox whose God-given ability to steal birds of all sorts, has been clipped by a promise to his wife (Streep), made after an incident when his cockiness nearly got them killed.
He’s okay with the arrangement for about two years (that’s 12 in fox-years) but then he gets restless and decides to pull off one last big job before settling into retirement (“Ocean’s 11” much??)
Of course it goes brilliantly – and he realizes he’s too good not to steal.
“If what I think is happening, is happening… it better not be,” says Mrs. Fox when she starts to get suspicious
It doesn’t take long before Mr. Fox upsets the wrong group of farmers, and they launch a revenge mission against him and the rest of the local animal kingdom.
While the farmer and his neighbors try to destroy the animals, they rally and try to steal as much as they possibly can from the farmers.
It’s a pretty simple story, but cleverly told and with the kind of depth that Anderson fans will be searching for. And it has such a beautiful look too. The puppets are a perfect blend of human and animal characteristics, with a unique texture that makes them look so real. You can actually see the fur move where it was touched by the animators.
The animal/human connection is clear in a couple of other places too. At one point Mr. Fox is arguing with his lawyer – Bill Murray’s badger – about purchasing property, and their discussion quickly turns into a vicious but brief animal scrap, after which they go back to their civilized discussion.
Owen Wilson has a small role – and his character looks nothing like his voice sounds. But don’t get too excited because he’s only in a scene or two.
Willem Dafoe is a nice surprise as the alcoholic rat that guards the farmer’s cider supply.
Almost all of the actors in the film voice their characters in a subtle and understated way, which is really refreshing.
Clooney is the only character that is sort of in-your-face and unmistakable – maybe a little over-acted. And there’s a little too much of him. It seems like he’s in almost every scene of the film. I could have done with a little less, but it was no big deal.
This is a great movie! If you have kids, use them as an excuse to go see it. If not, be brave and go see it on your own, but go late or early to avoid the kids, if you possible can.
