Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on November 27, 2009 at 17:19:56

In Reply to: RE: Fantasic Mr. Fox: "Because I am a wild animal." posted by mr grits on November 27, 2009 at 15:26:14

Wes Anderson's (maybe) best movie.

It just happens that animation is the best way to tell the tale. Fantastic Mr Fox is definitely made for adults, although children can enjoy it. But they won't get at least 60% of the subleties. Like The Incresibles, it's a film for adults that children can enjoy rather than the reverse.

It's the best movie about family responsibilities and mid-life crises since...ummm...since The Incredibles :-)

Anderson's obsessions dovetail perfectly into the visual stule of the film and seem liberating instead of confusing or cloying. The stop motion animation is charmingly crafty and suits the sly Roald Dahl novel perfectly. I love the look of the creatures and the details of the Fox's (and other creatures') domestic lives - the props all have incredible texture, are clever as hell and wonderful to behold.

The music is apt and quite witty, including the strategic use of pop songs for many cues. The voice actors all turn in excellent performances, and the dynamism in dialogue is no doubt in large part because they were recorded as a group, like a radio show, instead of singly. I loved the way the script uses "cuss" in lieu of actual swear words (as in "what the *cuss* do you think you're doing?"). Clooney, Streep and Gambon are standouts in the voice acting department, but everyone is quite good.

It's been a good year for animation generally with Selick's wonderful Coraline, then Up, and now Fantastic Mr Fox. I missed Miyazaki's Ponyo

This could be the first year a Pixar film does not take home the Best Animated Film Oscar.

• Priase for Fantastic Mr Fox from Salon.com   (Open in New Window)