Even though spooky season may be over, it’s not quite time for Christmas yet. What does that mean for The Reel Report? Well, it simply means that we will be looking at some of my favorite autumn and winter transition period films—the first of which is a favorite of mine: Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
One of my favorite aspects of this film is the color palette. Imagine an autumnal sunset caught in a bottle, shaken up and poured across every inch of the screen. This entire film lives in this warm, burnt-orange haze that bathes the characters in a cozy glow. The rich, earthy tones contrast beautifully with brighter elements (Ash’s signature red bandit cap, for instance), giving the film a vintage, storybook feel that’s both whimsical and nostalgic. It’s Anderson’s stylistic quirks dialed up to 11, yet grounded enough to make you believe these talking animals do inhabit this world.
And speaking of inhabitants, let’s talk about the real lifeblood of the film: the voice cast. George Clooney is perfectly cast as the titular Mr. Fox, bringing a laid-back charisma to the character that simultaneously makes him cartoonish and relatable. His performance captures the sly, confident side of Mr. Fox and his sincere vulnerability. In contrast, Meryl Streep brings a grounded, maternal warmth to her role as Mrs. Fox, along with Jason Schwartzman’s scene-stealing performance as their perpetually awkward teen son, Ash. These three performances create a balance that holds the family dynamic together. Clooney and Streep’s chemistry feels as lively as any live-action on-screen couple, giving a sincere emotional depth to these animated foxes.
The general charm of this film is only enhanced by the stop-motion animation, a labor of love so tangible you can practically see the fingerprints on the models. The movements have this charming imperfection that makes you realize the characters really are “handcrafted”—a quality often missing in today’s CGI-heavy animated world. Anderson’s love for symmetry, vibrant color and meticulous set design feels right at home in this stop-motion world, creating a unique visual style that’s as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. The movie thrives on this blend of handmade and sophisticated, offering a charmingly offbeat tale that doesn’t take itself too seriously, even as it touches on themes of family, identity and ambition.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” isn’t just a quirky animated film; it’s a celebration of craft—each frame, each voice, each carefully placed prop adding to a world that feels as foxily charming as it is narratively engaging. It’s Anderson at his finest, his most eccentric and heartfelt. You’ll laugh, feel the urge to raid a chicken coop and by the end, you might even wish you were a bit more fantastic yourself.
Rating: 5/5
