Fantasic Mr.Fox

"Fantastic Mr.Fox"
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson.
Grade: B

Wes Anderson has stuck to his vision and created another entertaining, if not thoroughly engaging film. While his better films reside in the first half of his career, Mr. Fox is certainly an upgrade over the emotionally tepid, "The Darjeeling Limited." This is Anderson's first go around with animation, and it results in a nice, and delightful fit.

George Clooney, who is appearing in almost everything these days, voices Mr.Fox, the cunning and witty husband to Mrs.Fox, who is voiced fittingly by Meryl Streep. Their angst ridden young son Ash, is voiced by Jason Schwartzman, an Anderson regular. As we are first introduced, these three are living in a pleasant and suitable tree that is in close proximity to three nasty and intolerable farmers who all own different goods that interests Mr.Fox. Fox looks to formulate heist plans to infiltrate the farmers land.

Mr. Fox's goal is to outsmart and outmaneuver his 3 neighbors, while trying not to put his family and friends in danger. Anderson creates maps and title cards to show the proximity of Fox and his neighbors. The cat and mouse game gets remains witty, but slowly stalls out as the film goes on. The dialogue is laugh to yourself throughout, but that's obviously what Anderson is going for. The biggest strength the film possesses is it's detailed and lush visuals.

Without going further, Mr. Fox is George Clooney, they're the same person. Anderson did a great job with the casting. Clooney brings his quick witted snappy comments, and his charm to the role, as Streep plays his disapproving, yet loving wife. The family are angst ridden, and striving for more, especially the un-coordinated Ash who can't live up to the hype of his athletic cousin Kristofferson who Mr. Fox admires. Anderson presents the family, plot, and all of the episodic events in his usual storytelling manor, this is clever, yet repetitive.

The animation is what makes the film appealing. Anderson litters each frame with minute and impressive detail to enhance his vision. While the film is PG, it certainly appeals to all audiences, much in the same vein as many other animated films this year. It appears that Anderson has sacrificed very little, as the film is trademark Anderson.

Many other Anderson usual's appear, including Bill Murray voicing a badger, Willem Dafoe as a villainous rat, and Owen Wilson as a gym-teacher. While Anderson certainly does his best to cross his style of film-making with animation, the film stalls at certain points and loses it's sudden charm which is laid on thick and convincingly in the first half.

I'm not sure whether Anderson is growing as a film-maker, but this different approach can't hurt his career, which needed an immediate boost. While Mr.Fox isn't as good as it's title says, it possesses enough wit, charm, and surprises for any age to admire. While the material is harmlessly adapted, it feels more light than forgettable by the time the film ends.