Fantastic Mr. Fox

I saw this great movie the other day. I liked it so much I decided to write a review and post it online -- and discovered I already have a movie blog! Such are the pitfalls of limited long-term memory. On the upside it makes for lots of nice surprises, like when you find your favorite toy under the couch or a well-seasoned bone tucked away in a corner of the yard (Nice and muddy! Yum!).

But back to the film, Fantastic Mr. Fox. Just from the title you know this is a movie that’s going to cater to a canine crowd, and cater it does. Mr. Fox rejects the pressure we all feel to adhere to social norms and deny our wild sides, in favor of shaking the (tasty) stuffing out of a chicken or two now and then. This upsets his wife, who I think is meant to represent the moviegoing public as a whole. Because at the heart of the story is Fox’s desire to straddle the two worlds, that of a roof over one’s head and comfy bed to sleep on, and that of every dog’s desire to roam the countryside and nab a little fresh meat. It’s really a socio-psychological drama of the conflict that creates in Fox, and society.

That Fox is a wily fellow, and he makes it work. Brilliantly, I should add. Now, I’m not saying I won’t try to chase down any foxes that cross my path, but my collar’s off in admiration of what this particular gent accomplishes.