After a string of brilliant comedies (The Darjeeling Limited, The Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenenbaums etc) director Wes Anderson, for his fifth film, now turns his hand to this stop-motion animation take on a classic Roald Dahl book. George Clooney's honey and gravel tones bring to life the wily hero who must evade the clutches of three dastardly farmers in order to provide food for his furry family - and loses his tail in the process.
Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep, plus Anderson regulars Anjelica Huston, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray are also among those providing voices - recorded not in a studio but on location for extra spontaneity. With a script by Anderson and The Squid And The Whale's Noah Baumbach, plus music by ex-Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, hold on to your hats.
A work from one of Britain’s most loved authors finds itself in the hands of American indie auteur Wes Anderson, best known for his arch and perfectionist takes on eccentric schemers and fractured family dynamics. Couldn’t be a better match, really, for this wry and charming animated flick about a self-absorbed fox with self-esteem issues and a misunderstood son.
This autumn-hued family film will be appreciated as much by adults as their offspring. Voiced by masters of dead-pan (George Clooney, Jason Schwartman, Bill Murray, among others), the humour is gently understated and occasionally loopy.
It’s Anderson’s personal touches that make all the difference. His attention to detail is extraordinary and a strict insistence on keeping the old-school stop-motion techniques means that clouds of smoke are made of cotton wool and water is merely cellophane. You can even see the fur bristling on the animals’ faces thanks to the animators’ fingers.
As per usual, Anderson peppers the soundtrack with classic pop songs, including The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones. Brit rocker Jarvis Cocker even makes an appearance, as a songwriter called Petey.
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a film that will grow on you after viewing. Containing everything from mundane minutiae to sublime epiphany (the Zissou-type moment with the wolf at the end), it’s a film where tender care and the joy of creation shows in every frame. Literally.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
Too much corny and almost adult humour that ruined this take on the beloved children's book.
A richly detailed, enchanting and utterly charming movie brimming full of beauty and wit. My young children adored this movie and watched it repeatedly until they could recite the dialogue from memory. A joy to watch from beginning to end, Wes Anderson has produced his masterpiece - a creation of lovely comic wisdom.
The movie started ok. Though I began to regret in the first 5 minutes. BUT that left cause once the film got going it was fantastic. the story line was clever, and it didn't take long to get into the good parts.
not that great
Requires concentration and no interruptions. A pretty good movie and the voices match the animated characters so well. Worth hiring :)
Genuinely original: a silly, hilarious and oddly profound adaptation for adult-sized children
Anderson has created a world as stylized and inventive as anything he's done... "Fox" is a visual delight.
A wonderfully imagined and executed retelling of this well-known story.
An adventure in pure imagination that plays to the smart kid in all of us.
It may not amount to much, but what to expect from a book about a thieving fox? Beautifully realised, it’s the Anderson movie that will leave you with a smile on your face.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 7th Jan 2010.
Release date: January 7th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
