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Trust Weighted
Very Good
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66Trust Points
Wick's Review
Summary - Very Good 3.5
A sly fox of a movie, more for adults than kids, notwithstanding that it’s from a children’s novel, Fantastic Mr. Fox deftly spins an involving tale from start to finish. Writer-Director Wes Anderson uses stop-action animation to impart a superhero vibe that – together with a considerable amount of droll charm – leads to several LOL moments. Foxy.
The redemptive story revolves around a sly thief who becomes an upstanding husband and father, until the old urges overpower him. His son – hardly a chip off the old block – tries and tries to win his favor. His patient and strong wife tolerates his antics, up to a point, while the members of his community reluctantly get drawn into the mess he creates. Transcendent hi-jinks ensue.
Acting - Very Good 3.5
George Clooney does deadpan very well, making him a perfect choice for Mr. Fox. The great Meryl Streep was less distinctive as Mrs. Fox.
Other notables transcending the animation include several Wes Anderson favorites:
- Jason Schwarzman as the odd ball kid.
- Bill Murray as the badger/lawyer.
- Willem Dafoe as the sly Rat.
- Owen Wilson as Coach Skip.
Male Stars - Great 4.0
Female Stars - Very Good 3.5
Female Costars - Good 3.0
Male Costars - Great 4.0
Film - Very Good 3.5
Wes Anderson’s dry wit animates the story as much as the self-consciously retro stop-motion animation seen on screen. Think Rushmore filtered through Roald Dahl’s transcendent children’s story.
Direction - Great 4.0
Dialogue - Very Good 3.5
Roald Dahl also wrote "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory":http://www.viewguide.com/movies/239105-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory. Wow.Music - Great 4.0
_Let Her Dance_ from the Bobby Fuller Four (the 60s group best known for _I Fought the Law)_ is the highlight of an eclectic soundtrack that also includes a Stones song (_Street Fighting Man_), several from the Beach Boys, Burl Ives (yes, Burl Ives), and Art Tatum. It works.Visuals - Very Good 3.5
Edge - Tame 1.2
Sex Innocent 1.1
Violence Gentle 1.3
Rudeness Polite 1.2
Reality - Supernatural 3.2
My cat – great hunter that he is – recently cleaned out a nest of possums, leaving several alive for me to return to the wilds of the back 40. What strange, passive creatures opossums are. Thus I got an extra kick out of Mr. Fox’s useless buddy Kylie the Possum, he of the transfixed eyes and nearly catatonic demeanor.