Assignment 2 – Movie Review

Certain artists have a unique ability to captivate the viewer, regardless of their
subject matter or style. Examples of such artists include Andy Warhol,
Grandma Moses, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, and Wes Anderson.
Although Wes Anderson's recent work may lack consistency, it still possesses
the power to impress the viewer. The question is raised as to what "The
Darjeeling Limited" and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" have in common.

Now here's "Fantastic Mr. Fox," an animated picture with nothing in common
with traditional animation, except that it's largely in one of the oldest
animation styles of all -- stop motion, the one used in "King Kong." The animals
aren't smaller than people but often larger, and more mature.

They live in a sometimes flat dimension; the cameras are happier sliding back
and forth than moving in and out. The effect is sometimes like an old-
fashioned slide projector. The landscapes and structures of this world are
mannered and picture-booky. Yet the extraordinary faces of the animals are
almost disturbingly human (for animals, of course). We venture into the
UnCanny Valley, that No Man's Land dividing humans from the devised. Above
all, their fur is so real. I've rarely seen such texture in a film.

The story involves a valley somewhere, by which is meant the world, which is
ruled by:

Boggis and Bunce and Bean,

One fat, one short, one lean.
These horrible crooks, so different in looks.
Were nonetheless equally mean.

The animals in the story are not all good. The character Mr. Fox, voiced by
George Clooney, used to steal chickens but stopped when it became
dangerous. Instead, he became a journalist and a gossipmonger. However, he
later returns to his old ways of stealing chickens and keeps it a secret from his
wife, Mrs. Fox, who is portrayed by Meryl Streep.

His deception is blown, to everyone's great disappointment, when the fat,

short and lean ones all turn into mean ones and declare war. Leading a team of
other animals, Mr. Fox starts tunneling like the heroes of "The Great Escape" --
but in, rather than out.
These adventures provide the setting for personal drama, as an uncertainty
arises between Mr. Fox's callow son, Ash, voiced by Jason Schwartzman, and a
cousin named Kristofferson (Eric Anderson). Kristofferson is all a fox should be,
as with that name how could he not? He's the family golden child, or fox. Does
Mr. Fox admire the cousin more than his son? What kind of pop has he been,
anyway?

The animals in the film are well-dressed, which enhances their importance,
unlike other cartoon characters who wear silly outfits. The film's art design is
an essential part of its appeal and remains visually stimulating throughout, as
seen in the colour schemes of "Darjeeling" and "The Life Aquatic." The movie is
based on a children's book by Roald Dahl, known for its dark undertones,
implying that evil could strike at any time. The animals in the film are not
catering to the audience and seem to lead their lives without interruption.
They possess a mysterious quality that is similar to the protagonist in "Willy
Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Children will find aspects of the movie that
they may not understand and might even scare them, which is a good thing. A
good story for children should suggest a hidden dimension, and that dimension
of course is the lifetime still ahead of them. Six is a little early for a movie to
suggest to kids that the case is closed. Oh, what if the kids start crying about
words they don't know? -- Mommy, Mommy! What's creme brulee?" Show
them, for goodness sake. They'll thank you for it. Take my word on this.