Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe
Released: 23/10/2009
Rated: PG
Adapting a much loved children’s classic for the big screen and ensuring that it will be embraced by those who adored the book is no easy task. Therefore, it is to director Wes Anderson’s immense credit that he successfully translates Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox into a spirited, humorous and fast-paced adventure.
The story charts retired chicken thief Mr Fox’s audacious attempt at One Last Job; stealing chickens, geese and cider from the farms of Boggis, Bunce and Bean respectively. The farmers respond in rifle brandishing fashion, led by Bean (played with murderous relish by Michael Gambon) and an entertaining vermin vs vengeful victims battle ensues. The ubiquitous George Clooney is pitch perfect as resolute Mr Fox while Meryl Streep as Mrs Fox conveys a mixture of fond weariness and outright anger as witness to his dangerous pursuits.
The touching sub-plot involves their sweet son Ash desperately trying to match his cousin Kristofferson’s success at everything, which adds a welcome dimension to the action. Cameos from Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, (amusingly explaining the impossible-to-follow rules of the game Wackbat) and most bizarrely but brilliantly Jarvis Cocker, all bring comic relief to the foxhole, as does Mr Fox’s sidekick Mr Possum.
However, undeniably the biggest asset to this film is its animation. Pixar it most certainly ain’t but this is a refreshing change as the rustic, unpolished scenery is the essence of FMF’s appeal. From the vibrant, autumnal colours of the woods to the ‘pure melted gold’ of the cider, the film serves up a visual feast. The variation of blue tones in the night scenes is gorgeous and the anger of Mrs Fox at one point contrasts beautifully with the backdrop of sparkling rocks that surround her. The attention to detail is almost military in its precision, with every last hair on the animals’ bodies distinguishable. If there is one criticism it is that the ending was unnecessarily changed but that is a minor quibble given that it still works very well.
Although carved from a rougher wood than the standard animated fare, this is the film’s greatest strength and as a result FMF is a charming gem that deserves to be as popular as the book.
Susan Mintern
Tags: fantastic mr fox, roald dahl
