Some films just suit certain auteurs like a glove, so it comes to no surprise that Rohald Dahl and Wes Anderson are actually a match made in heaven. Anderson's wit, brilliantly shining through his subtle visual gags, and quirky emotion, with the stru... (read more) Some films just suit certain auteurs like a glove, so it comes to no surprise that Rohald Dahl and Wes Anderson are actually a match made in heaven. Anderson's wit, brilliantly shining through his subtle visual gags, and quirky emotion, with the structure and meaning of family, work together to bring Dahl's book to life with bursts of humor and feeling. Clooney is endlessly charismatic and charming as the title character, giving one of the best vocal performances of the year. Anderson has crafted a film that sucks you into this world, complete with joyful characters and perfectly matched-music ("Street Fighter Man" by the Rolling Stones in an animated film? Brilliant) that makes you want to be with the protagonist for more than just an hour and 27 minutes. It truly is fantastic, Mr. Fox.

Director Wes Anderson (The Darjeeling Limited, The Royal Tenenbaums) was the subject of a minor controversy a few months ago when an L.A. Times profile alleged that the idiosyncratic auteur rarely visited the London set of Fantastic Mr. Fox, his stop... (read more) Director Wes Anderson (The Darjeeling Limited, The Royal Tenenbaums) was the subject of a minor controversy a few months ago when an L.A. Times profile alleged that the idiosyncratic auteur rarely visited the London set of Fantastic Mr. Fox, his stop-motion adaptation of the Road Dahl children's tale, preferring instead to issue orders to his crew via email. If the report is indeed true, Anderson’s poor attendance record certainly didn’t detract from the final result. Fantastic Mr. Fox is an utter delight: a lively, endearing comic caper that will appeal equally to both young and old, hipster and non-hipster alike.

Having too often overdosed on self-conscious quirk in the past, Anderson shows admirable restraint with Fantastic Mr. Fox, and the result is undoubtedly his most entertaining and accessible film yet. Admittedly, the film’s old school, retro-style animation does take some getting get used to; younger audience members, raised on a steady diet of cutting-edge Pixar flicks, might even suspect that they’re watching some relic produced before they were born. But their skepticism will quickly fade as soon they’re drawn into the first of several increasingly audacious farm heists mounted by the clever Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) and his rag-tag crew of woodland critter pals.

For a movie that starts out so crazily plotted and energetic, Mr. Fox does flag a bit once the animals have dug into their underground city and the farmers are essentially waiting for Fox's next move. But it's not just the densely packed frames, something funny or important stuffed into every corner and inventive filmmaking taking place in every scene, that will keep viewers of all ages interested. Anderson takes Dahl's gift for names and jokes and turns it into a whole new kind of absurdism, in which all possible swear words are replaced with "cuss" and Ash constantly insists, to no one in particular, that he truly wants to be considered an athlete. The voice cast, which also includes Bill Murray and a wonderfully laconic Willem Dafoe as a treacherous rat, is fully invested; whether or not it's due to Anderson's gambit of having them all together acting out the scene, the actors jive perfectly with the movie's deadpan silly style.

Is this a good movie for kids? I honestly have no idea. You know how the Shrek movies always have a bunch of pop culture references that kids won't get but will make their parents laugh? Fantastic Mr. Fox does that, except instead of pop culture references, it's about real estate markets. Seriously. But it's funny. It might be a little over kids heads, but I still think the energy and the fresh design would be enough to hold their interest. One thing I don't know, though, is if they'll enjoy it nearly as much as I did.

hmmm... The animation was great but the story was a bit....dull. typical dry sense of humor from Anderson but does that really suit this type of film? Answer: no.

entertaining, funny, full of action and full of beasties! what else can you ask for? stop motion? well, you got it. a good storyline? you bet you go it! haven't read the book so i don't know how it compares to the original. i guess you will have a pr... (read more) entertaining, funny, full of action and full of beasties! what else can you ask for? stop motion? well, you got it. a good storyline? you bet you go it! haven't read the book so i don't know how it compares to the original. i guess you will have a problem if you don't like wes anderson, or if you are offended by the characters having an american accent. well, i can only say that if you don't like this movie is only because you are no longer a kid. you might have to work on that.

Now, Wes Anderson's Rushmore is in my top 3 favourite films ever, so there was a fair chance i'd really like this, and surprise surprise, I did. Beautiful attention to detail, an endearing theme of looking after your family and community at all costs... (read more) Now, Wes Anderson's Rushmore is in my top 3 favourite films ever, so there was a fair chance i'd really like this, and surprise surprise, I did. Beautiful attention to detail, an endearing theme of looking after your family and community at all costs, and a quite brillaint voice cast.

this is soooo funny. well to me it was

Biased review as I think Wes Anderson can do no wrong. His films are endlessly watchable. This is no different.

The wolf scene is an instant classic.

Fantastic Mr. Fox renews one's sense of animation's possibilities.

Cinema-candy for grown-ups. I left the screening room thinking, I want to see this movie again.

Anderson prizes the funny over the profound to an extent that keeps the proceedings a tad too light and jovial to register as anything more than a lightweight aside to his more acute, earnest work.

The additions are okay; but it's the look that keeps you buoyed up, your eyes roaming the frames, laughing in surprise at the visual jokes and flourishes and textures. It's a dandy's movie, but that adds to the fun.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is indeed fantastic in every way.