A scene from the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, with Mr. Fox in the lead. (Photo Credit: Credit: 20th Century Fox)

Fantastic Mr. Fox Reviewed

Road Dahl tale is a strange, comical family film

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Fantastic Mr. Fox
Rated G
Opening Nationwide November 25

Fantastic Mr. Fox is an extremely comical and fun film, mostly due to its amazing cast of voices. The movie is based on the story by Roald Dahl, which is a short tale for children ages 7 years and younger. The movie version, however, has a more detailed plot, new characters, and is aimed at all ages.

In the movie, Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) lives with his wife Mrs. Fox (voiced by Meryl Streep), and son Ash (Jason Schwartzman). His nephew, Kristofferson (Eric Anderson), is visiting.

Mr. Fox lives a nice and decent life, but is tempted to steal from three neighboring farmers. After Mr. Fox has raided the chicken coops of three of the farmers, they get extremely angry and seek revenge. The fox family comes under siege and must struggle for survival. That struggle involves lots of digging, bickering, and rapid, complicated escape planning.

The voices for this animated film are what make it truly amazing. The characters sound like real people (or animals who behave like people). The dialogue is filled with awkward pauses and random thoughts, and has an honest tone—not "cartoony." Clooney is the perfect voice for Mr. Fox. The other casting choices are also excellent.

Kids will love this movie for its humor. They will also relate to the many emotions involved, like jealousy and rivalry, the themes for the subplot between the younger characters. Parents will also enjoy Fantastic Mr. Fox because it plays on real-life situations in a light and funny manner.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fun movie that will keep you entertained throughout its one hour and 28 minutes. It’s also the first movie with a repeating rhyme that doesn’t really leave you annoyed.

"Boggis, Bunce, and Bean
One fat, one short, one lean
So different in looks
These terrible crooks
Were nonetheless equally mean."

Try getting THAT out of your head!

Kid Reporter Miranda Rector also spoke to Director Wes Anderson and Lucy Dahl at a press day held in Los Angeles, California, recently.

Kid Reporter Grace McManus worked the red carpet at the New York City premiere. You can check out her story here.

Also, Kid Reporter Grace McManus writes about her red carpet experience on the Scholastic Kids Press Corps blog!

NEWS FOR KIDS, BY KIDS

Get the latest on national and international events, movies, television, music, sports, and more from the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store
  	Diary of a Wimpy Kid Value Pack 1-5 & 6 & 7 by Jeff Kinney and Jeff Kinney This set includes: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box of Books (1-5) Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6: Cabin Fever Diary of a Wimpy Kid 7: The Third Wheel $68.49 You save: 30% books;boxed sets and collections;hardcover collections | Ages 8-13

  
  Diary of a Wimpy Kid Value Pack 1-5 & 6 & 7
  Ages 8-13 $68.49
  
• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box of Books (1-3) by Jeff Kinney and Jeff Kinney The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box of Books is now available in two three-book sets! Get the first three books in Jeff Kinney's bestselling series in one collectible boxed set. Included are Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rodrick Rules, and The Last Straw in a specially designed package. $37.80 You save: 10% books;boxed sets and collections;hardcover boxed sets | Ages 8-13

  
  Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box of Books (1-3)
  Ages 8-13 $37.80