Welcome back for another installment of Letterboxd Lists, where I review a movie from one of the featured lists on Letterboxd. This week we look at the Top 100 Animation list and the current number 10 movie on the list…Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009).
Title: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Director: Wes Anderson
Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Released: November 25, 2009 (theatrical in the US)
Available to stream on: Disney+ and Hulu
Mr. Fox (George Clooney) is a chicken thief who flew too close to the sun. One day, he triggers a trip which winds up trapping himself and his wife, Felicity (Meryl Streep). While trapped, Felicity reveals to Mr. Fox that she is pregnant. Knowing the dangers of being a chicken thief, Mr. Fox agrees to pursue a different line of work.
Flash forward two years later (that’s 12 fox years), Mr. Fox, Felicity, and their son Ash (Jason Schwartzman) are living in a tree that is precariously close to the facilities of three farmers named Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Mr. Fox is now working as a columnist for a newspaper, but he isn’t fulfilled and wants more out of his life. Living in such close proximity to three of the meanest farmers around, it was only a matter of time before Mr. Fox started to get the itch to thieve again.
If there is a silver lining, Mr. Fox realizes that if he’s to pull off one more heist, he’s going to need help. That comes in the form of an opossum named Kylie (Wallace Wolodarsky), a badger named Clive (Bill Murray), and Ash’s cousin, Kristofferson (Eric Chase Anderson). Needless to say, Ash is perturbed that his cousin was selected over him.
Will Boggis, Bunce, and Bean continue to rule while being relentlessly mean?
Or will Mr. Fox be able to make his “last” heist one for the ages?
Stop motion animation, when done right, can look absolutely incredible. Luckily for anyone who decides to watch Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), you get a film that is a feast for your eyes.
Yes, the stop motion is incredibly impressive, but it goes further than that. The wardrobe for each character was something that stood out to me. Each of their little suits are tailored and manage to fit their personality. Overall, the art direction is top notch.
Something that also stood out to me is the wide appeal that Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) offers. It is animated, clocks in at just under ninety minutes, and carries a PG rating. There is humor for both younger and older audiences. And to round out the trifecta, fans of Wes Anderson, his usual players, and his style will find plenty to enjoy here.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) will turn fifteen this year, yet somehow this was my first time watching it. Usually, I find that I enjoy Wes Anderson’s films. This was no different. In fact, now I want to read the source material from Roald Dahl and then revisit this film.
If you’ve yet to see it, please correct that as soon as possible.
Now, if you have seen Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), it’s your turn.
Let me hear your thoughts on it in the comments below or on social media!
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