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Release Date: March 23, 2010
U.S. Rating: PG
Run Time: 97 minutes
In there-imagined classic family tale, Mr. and Mrs. Fox (Clooney and Streep) live a happy home life with their eccentric son Ash (Jason Schwartzman: The Darjeeling Limited) and visiting nephew Kristopherson. That is until Mr. Fox slips into his sneaky, old ways and plots the greatest heist the animal world has ever seen. When mean old farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean join forces to surround Mr. Fox and his family, they don’t realize they are not dealing with any old fox – it’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and he has a fantastic master plan to save the day! Based on the beloved best-selling book by Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Fantastic Mr. Fox is family fun at its finest. Anderson employs a colorful supporting cast to bring his eccentric characters to life including Bill Murray (Lost In Translation), Owen Wilson (Marley & Me) and Willem Dafoe (Spiderman triology).
Fantastic Mr. Fox is quite a fascinating adaptation of Roald Dahl's book of the same title. Seeing Dahl's work come to life never ceases to amaze, especially this time with Wes Anderson directing. This film will make you appreciate stop-motion animated films like you never have before as the sets and characters visually stunning to look at. For this reason alone, it will top your list for favorite animated films of 2009. If you thought that this story was already emotionally engaging...you are in for a treat. If you thought that this story was just for children...you may be surprised to know that adults may take more out of it than children. Believe me, you will be engrossed in this film before you even realize it, as it's quirky, it's witty, it's charming, and it's genuine. And the film wouldn't be the same without the fabulous score by Alexandre Desplat. Definitely pick up your Blu-ray or DVD copy today so you don't miss out on the all of the fun.
Bonus Features:
From Script to Screen - This feature was quite a general behind the scenes look into the making of the film. Only briefly is it mentioned that whole scenes and characters were expanded in the film and the original dialogue from the book remained in the film. There is no greater detail into the first, and it's a shame because it would have been quite interesting to find out why certain things in the book did not make it as well as why and how certain things were added and expanded on. With such a unique project on Anderson's hands, it is stated that more decisions were made for this film than in a live action film...but not until it is stated that there are 29 units as opposed to the 1 unit Anderson usually works with, does it really hit home for the viewers. Along with that, viewers get to see storyboards, and some of the animation being edited together. This feature was a brief informational look at how the film came together, but with such a complex project, I expected more depth overall. Director, Wes Anderson, Producers, Allison Abbate and Jeremy Dawson, Animation Director, Mark Gustafson, Production Designer, Nelson Lowry, and Actor, Bill Murray all appear in this special feature.
Still Life (Puppet Animation) - This was quite a fascinating and eye opening look on the set of Fox. Viewers will come to appreciate stop motion animation all the more after seeing all of the hard work and endless hours put into such a film. Everything from the challenges of facial expressions and difficulties shooting after a temperature change to the definition of the industry term, "hot set" is shared in this feature. Storyboards, animation test footage, and much more is shown, which all give a great behind the scenes look into the hard work completed by the talented crew behind this film. This feature was very well edited and is definitely worth the watch. Director, Wes Anderson, Producers, Allison Abbate and Jeremy Dawson, Animation Director, Mark Gustafson, Puppet Fabrication Supervisor, Andy Gent, and Director of Photography, Tristan Oliver all appear in this special feature.
A Beginner’s Guide to Whack-Bat - In case you missed what was explained in the incredibly fast explanation of the game of Whack-Bat in the movie...here is a very brief and slower paced guide detailing the players, the equipment, and the game of Whack-Bat. With both the game explained in the film and this guide...you might just understand the game!
Own Fantastic Mr. Fox on Blu-ray & DVD today.
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