Since it is school vacation for many of us, I thought it would appropriate to feature a family movie. For those of you without kids, don’t turn the channel – you’ll like it too! Every once in a while a film comes along that totally surprises me. Fantastic Mr. Fox was one of them. This quirky Wes Anderson movie is a total delight in every way. It appeals to children with its whimsical colorful characters and entertaining story line but adults will love its intelligent witty humor and incredible visual attention to detail.
Mr. Fox with his director Wes Anderson, courtesy of Vanity Fair
Based on the book by Roald Dahl, one of my favorite authors, it features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Michael Gambon and Owen Wilson. This tale of a naughty thieving fox is told in effective stop action animation that is a bit off-putting at first but as it progresses seems perfectly suited to the action and story line. The movie has a very handmade feel to it, enhanced by the puppets’ fur and the rough yet charming quality of the animation. I am normally not a huge fan of animated features but this is a much more artistic variety and like many of Anderson’s films, has a personal “auteur” feel to it, focussing on personalities and family problems. Even though this is a family film and animated, many of Anderson’s themes still come home to roost here as well: dysfunctional families with fathers who won’t grow up, mothers holding it all together etc.
I was blown away by the visual effects in this film. Anderson is known for his meticulous moviemaking and it shows here in spades. This tonal shot is a perfect example of how visually attuned he is. And wait til you see the characters’ clothing – Anderson even used his own jacket for that of Mr. Fox to get just the right effect. Here is a video described the painstaking work involved in creating the animation.
Bill Murray here is reaching into the set to fiddle with Badger, his character
Some of the puppets were built at five different scales to create the illusion of depth.
All of these carefully crafted characters had duplicates in case of accidents on set.
this and three previous photos by Greg Williams
Aren’t they adorable?! Don’t forget – they are puppets so all these miniature pyjamas had to actually be made!
The story is appealing to both children and adults and like the best family pictures can be appreciated on several levels. Some of the more philosophical issues will go right over the kids’ heads as will much of the more sophisticated humor. But there is plenty for them to enjoy including Fox’s hairbrained schemes and the basic animal vs. human battle. I asked my daughter what she remembered liking best about this film and she replied she loved the fact that they made a whole film from such a short book and how they managed to expand the characters with such distinct personalities. I read once that Anderson’s stories are based on adults who act like children and children who act like adults and this was never more evident than in this film.
For those of you who have found Wes Anderson too out there for you in the past, give this a try. It has all the wonderful signature Anderson touches you’ll like – obsessive design details in fashion, decor, sets and graphics and a great soundtrack without the human sturm and drang. Watching the trailer make me chuckle yet again!!
Now I know for certain that we have the same taste in movies! :)
I love this film and all that Wes Anderson does. Thank goodness for someone that celebrates our oddities as well as our strong points…
This film looks enchanting, another one I have not seen, I am off to read your other posts, I need to catch up due to intermittent broadband connection at this end, very frustrating!
XXX
Isn’t it amazing what they can do with puppets? Think of all the work that goes into one, they look wonderful!
I am not usually an animated family movie watcher but this is the only movie of that type I have EVER watched twice. Is Clooney never not cool? I love the art direction and the little, little, little pajamas!
Love how you probe and go really behind the scenes with every post that you do….I passed on my stylish blogger award to you today! The creative process behind these films just blows me away, starting with the concept to story line to the excecution..it is fascinating and the creativity and imagination required is pure genius! Thanks for sharing……
I hope you saw the Fantastic Mr. Fox windows at Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Shop on Fifth Avenue the year the movie was released. The puppets are even more charming in person, you can really get a feel for their crafted feel. Perhaps BG has archive photos? Loved the movie too! One of those to buy–so we can share it with a new generation of young ones. And what a great parable for our greed gone wild days….
Love that you chose this, what a fun pick!!!
Like you, I am not normally a fan of animated features, but I loved this movie. I saw it with my daughters and my husband during the holiday season, last year (?) and I absolutely adored it. It would be a great one to rent and watch again.
I feel talented until I see something like this! I am amazed by the animal and their clothes.
I will have to pick this movie up. Looks perfect.
Have a great weekend,q., and thanks for sharng.
Teresa
xoxo
Okay, you have convinced me we need to see this one. The images you posted are just too fabulous and too enticing!
May you enjoy an outstanding weekend,
tp
I have a terrible weakness for plushy animated animals, so I shall take you up on this!
You have convinced me! We are heading out to the video store now so I will add it the the mix. Have a wonderful trip. XO
I saw this and it was totally quirky and wonderful. I loved seeing it. Good call!
When this was still playing in the theatres, my husband took the kids to see it and everyone loved it. Since my children enjoy watching movies they have seen several times, we might need to watch this during a family movie night…now that I know I will enjoy it as well!:)
Not having children, I’m going to take your word on this one and try to get my husband to watch it with me. We really like all different kinds of movies. Saturday is almost gone so enjoy your Sunday. I’ve got to go and work on my Sunday Supper post, but it’s been a great day!
I love it….one I can watch with my boys! They are now at the age where they are asking for “family movie night”…and with this in hand, I will happily oblige!
I haven’t seen it but you may have convinced me! xx
What amazing attention to detail and I am going to see if we can rent this on iTunes!
xoxo,
Chic ‘n Cheap Living
I will definitely take your advice.
Completely missed this one. Had my brother’s teens here in addition to mine and this would have been a great pick. The photos of the details of the characters are just amazing. Easy to take this level of work for granted. We’ll have to plan it just for our foursome or get yet another on the Netflix queue.
How interesting! Perfect for a rainy day…wonder if I can find it on Netflix.
How fun and interesting. I love it!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
My son just finished a book by Ronald Dahl and he loved it :) He was just drawing his own book cover for a reports at school as well! How crazy is that. I noticed the clothing right away as well in any of these clips you’ve shown. Amazing what people can do! XO, Kelly
i LOVE roald dahl. he is my favorite. haven’t seen the movie yet, but am sure i will get to it at some point!!