Review of "Fantastic Mr. Fox," open now (Nov. 13)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Animation)
Director: Wes Anderson
Voices of: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Wallace Wolodarsky, Eric Chase Anderson

There are those who will tell us that this film of Roald Dahl’s book subverts his original idea, and that the characters are depicted as far too cuddly.  And they are mostly right, except that the film is fun on its own terms.  This will mean little to those who haven’t read the book.
The script follows the conventions of the modern screenplay: the main characters see the error of their ways, or become better as a result of the action.  Dahl was dark where this story is far more friendly, but the book is still available (and will be a surprise to any who seek it out).
Fox (Clooney) has promised his wife (Streep) that he will change his thieving ways once she becomes pregnant.  And he does.
But, a few years later, he wants to make that proverbial one last big score and retire a winner.  He is helped by his opossum henchman, Kylie (Wolodarsky).
His targets, as always, are three big corporate farmers, and the resulting war affects all the animals adversely.  There are also family issues, with his resentful son (Schwartzman) and the boy’s perfect cousin (Anderson).  And, when Mrs. Fox finds out about his return to stealing, well...
The stop-motion animation, which looks almost old-fashioned, is perfect and beautiful.  The voice work is excellent.  I’ve never been convinced of Wes Anderson’s brilliance, but this immediately became my favorite of his movies, displacing Rushmore, and is just a great piece of work.  See it.
A-