I almost feel sorry for Wes Anderson (as sorry as anyone can feel for a wildly successful, well-regarded, wealthy artist). When I first heard about his adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel and saw the first images of the animation style he was using, I was intrigued. But now that “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is being promoted with what feels like almost hostile aggression, I’ve pretty much lost all interest.
With each new scene or image I see, the more turned off I feel. I can’t quite put my finger on the reason why, though. Is it the herky-jerky stop-motion animation? The fact that the promos don’t give you enough indication of a plot? The constant talk of the big-name stars that are doing the voices (Clooney! Streep! Murray!), rather than a focus on what the movie is actually about? I don’t know. But somewhere along its journey to the theater, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” left me on the side of the road.
For those who are a bit more optimistic, here are four new scenes from “Fantastic Mr. Fox” that primarily focus on Jason Schwartzman’s character, Ash, for a change.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” will try to live up to its name on Nov. 25.
To see additional scenes from the movie, click here.
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That photo is too cute!
I probably won’t see this.
Well, it looks like Noah Baumbach strikes again. He co-wrote “Life Aquatic,” which I didn’t care for, and here he is again. The tone is all wrong, it’s a little too self-congratulatory. These scenes strain so much to seem hip and melancholy at the same time, and it doesn’t work. I blame Baumbach for his hand in writing it and Anderson for letting Baumbach anywhere near one of his scripts again. Maybe these scenes’ context in the film makes them work, but it’s going to take near-Universal praise from critics and people who see it opening weekend to get me in the same theater as this movie.
At one point, I wanted to see this. Those days have passed.
Yeah … I don’t think I will be seeing this.
It looks mildly amusing at best.
Seriously, even the abundance of clips on this site does not do this film justice. This is Anderson’s best film since Royal Tenenbaums and easily one of the most unique animated films ever made. You have to see the whole thing to get the complete vision, and when you do, it will be one of the most fun experiences you’ve had in a theater all year.
Why is everyone being so down on this movie? The way it is marketed has nothing to do with the actual final product. The marketing is only how the film is made to look, not how it actually is.
“but it’s going to take near-Universal praise from critics and people who see it opening weekend to get me in the same theater as this movie.”
It is getting overwhemingly positive reviews so far – it’s no guarantee it will be amazing, but you may want to reconsider giving wes a second chance:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1197696-fantastic_mr_fox/