FANTASTIC MR. FOX
CAROLINE: I wasn’t interested in this movie because I hate animation; but this one does look a little different and I was a bit intrigued by the voice casting of Meryl Streep and George Clooney. Nonetheless, I couldn’t get my game on for it. How was it?
RYAN: It was… eh. It was fine.
CAROLINE: My instincts were good then.
RYAN: But you don’t wanna see any animated film so whatever.
CAROLINE: Details, please.
RYAN: The animation here really is quite different from anything we’ve seen before. It’s closer to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” than anything else.
CAROLINE: It does look unique.
RYAN: It must have taken them forever and I enjoyed the color palette and the animals. The animation really is delightful, but the pacing just killed it for me.
CAROLINE: I kind of expect that from Wes Anderson, let’s be honest. He also did “The Royal Tenenbaums,” which was OK, and “Life Aquatic,” which I didn’t see. I’m a little over his quirky preciousness.
RYAN: Yes. I really can’t stand his sensibility. I’ve never really loved any of his movies and even though this one is animated/for the whole family, it’s still got his stamp on it. I mean, the pacing is so random. From the delivery of the dialogue to the soundtrack – everything is just so awkward. He must have grown up in a very strange family.
CAROLINE: OK, Dr. Freud. Let’s psychoanalyze him, shall we?
RYAN: [laughs’ Meryl Streep is barely in it. George C. is fine. And there’s also Anderson-regulars Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson.
CAROLINE: The typical fare. The film is based on a book by Roald Dahl, whom I love. He also wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, my favorite book ever.
RYAN: So good. It’s definitely an interesting take on his book. I just wish a different director had been in charge. It might have been more fun or better.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: It has a few sweet, romantic moments and a good moral, of course. It’s definitely a much better adaptation than “Where the Wild Things Are.” But again, it’s just off – in the timing and the telling a bit, and that’s all Wes Anderson. It’s a difficult rating. Maybe rent it. Maybe see it in the theater if you’re think the animation looks cool.
— RATING —
