Criterion Blu-ray Film Review

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) • Blu-ray [Criterion Collection]

An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation.

Roald Dahl’s wonderfully imaginative tales have often made for entertaining films. From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) to The Witches (1990), Dahl’s subversive humour, evocative imagery, and interesting characters have translated magnificently from page to screen. Just like the author’s wild imagination, Wes Anderson’s penchant for whimsical storytelling brings his audience to a rapturous childlike state. In his first animated feature, Fantastic Mr. Fox allowed the filmmaker to indulge his cinematic idiosyncrasies with luxurious stop-motion animation, creating a tale for audiences of all ages.

After discovering he’s going got be a father, Mr Fox (George Clooney) agrees to renounce his mischievous lifestyle for a sustainable future with his family. Twelve “fox years” later and Mr Fox has abandoned larceny and writes for a local newspaper. However, feeling…