Movie Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox

If asked, I wouldn't be able to think of a movie that matches, let alone surpasses, Fantastic Mr. Fox for pure cheek. The jerky movements of the clay figures, the old-fashioned music, the quiet and simple dialogue, and especially the incorporation of the animals' wild natures into an otherwise civil and humanly life give Wes Anderson's latest film a smart alecky and dry humored tone.

If anyone who's read the book by Roald Dahl is worried the movie adaptation will ruin yet another childhood favorite, have no fear. The movie isn't so much based on the book, it just takes certain elements. Of course, the three horrible farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean ("one fat, one short, one lean/These horrible crooks/So different in looks/Were nonetheless equally mean!") are still trying to dig Mr. Fox out of his home after he steals too much poultry and cider. There are plenty of new twists to enjoy, however; Mr. and Mrs. Fox's son, Ash, is a very angsty (some would say emo) pre-teen whose subplot involves his jealousy over cousin Kristofferson's natural athletic abilities. Boggis, Bunce, and Bean resort to a few extra methods of getting their hands on Mr. Fox. These, however, are only two of the fantastic new elements in the story. It's as if Dahl wrote an entire sequel for Anderson to use in making this movie. I've been a fan who became angry when a director changed the plot of a favorite book. Yet Fantastic Mr. Fox was one of my favorite Dahl stories, and I welcomed Anderson's changes. They truly added to the movie.

The biggest change is that Anderson seemed less concerned with the question of how the foxes would escape. Whereas the book is all about the foxes digging, digging, digging, Anderson chose to explore the social intricacies between the characters. There's Ash, who is "...different", insecure about his father's love; hence his rivalry with Kristofferson. Anderson makes this funny, showing Mr. Fox shoo his son from a thievery mission and greet Kristofferson with "Oh good, you showed up," when he arrives. Bandit masks are the mark of inclusion here.

Anderson also expands upon Mr. and Mrs. Fox's marriage. In the book, Mrs. Fox was an ever-adoring, shy wife. In the film, she is harsh about her husband's mistakes and snarky as well. Some altered dialogue highlights this. Compare the book version:

Mrs. Fox: They'll kill the children!
Mr. Fox: Never!

...with the movie version:

Mrs. Fox: They'll kill the children!
Mr. Fox: Over my dead body!
Mrs. Fox: That's my point, you'll be dead.

It is such moments that add endless humor to Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Don't be afraid to see Fantastic Mr. Fox if you've read the book. If you haven't, give it a shot. It's a cheeky, fascinating movie that anyone would enjoy. It is perhaps too dark for very young children, but surely should not be kept as a rule from the eyes of youngsters. You'll smile the whole way through, and I dare you not to recognize the charm it holds.