REVIEW: Fantastic Mr. FoxRSS
REVIEW: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Mr. Fox and Kylie
10th Jan 2010
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
5 stars
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.
The people's comments
What a charmer! Simple tale simply told. Clever, funny, witty... With all the hype over Avatar, it's a timely reminder that if you have a good story you don't need the GDP of a small country to tell it. FIVE STARS on every level.
By REX
Couldn't agree more, an awesome, awesome film.
By Janet
In Other News
The Good Oil
RSS- REVIEW: 'Tomorrow, When the War Began'
- REVIEW: 'The Expendables'
- REVIEW: 'Going the Distance'
- Tupac Movie Begins Filming In November
- What's Up Next Mr James Cameron?
- REVIEW: 'The White Ribbon'
- REVIEW: 'Piranha 3D'
- REVIEW: 'It's A Wonderful Afterlife'
- Flicks & Incredibly Strange Present Rare, Retro & Classic Cinema
- EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Gurinder Chadha
Headlines
REVIEW: 'Tomorrow, When the War Began'
Live Broadcast Of 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' Premiere In Tokyo!
Dwayne Johnson Journeys To Center Of The Earth
New Team For 'Mission: Impossible 4'
EXCLUSIVE: Stuart Beattie Talks 'Tomorrow, When the War Began'!
Soundtrack Details For Sophia Coppola's 'Somewhere'
'The Wrestler' Director Takes On Wolverine?
REVIEW: 'The Expendables'
James Cameron Rags On 'Piranha 3D'
Doctor Who For Hobbit Role?
Jemaine Clement's Gay Porn Embarrassment
Nike Patents 'Back to the Future' Sneakers
Set Pics From Scorsese's 'Hugo Cabret'
REVIEW: 'Going the Distance'
Tupac Movie Begins Filming In November
What's Up Next Mr James Cameron?
REVIEW: 'The White Ribbon'
Sean Connery Officially Retires
REVIEW: 'Piranha 3D'
REVIEW: 'It's A Wonderful Afterlife'- MORE NEWS





