qz thoughtsFantastic Mr Fox
Based on a book of the same title by Roald Dahl, this is a story of theiving fox battling with some unsavory farmers. Dahl wrote many stories that have been adapted into movies (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda) or shows ("Man from the South", "Skin"). A common theme is fun, or at least interesting, unsavory characters.
The story in the movie is an expanded version of the book, and is adapted in a Wes Anderson style. (Anderson's previous films include The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Darjeeling Limited, and Royal Tenenbaums.) The stop-motion animation is a first for Anderson, though. I particularly enjoyed the look of the film, but I've heard others call it "creepy".
Boggis and Bunce and Bean
One fat, one short, one lean
These horrible crooks
So different in looks
Were none the less equally mean.
Bean is the brains behind the farmers and the only one given much of a role. He is a crack shot, an alcoholic, and a brewer of hard cider. (The cider in the film is clear gold, which is pretty, but probably not what Dahl would have imagined.) Mr Fox is a charming thief whose self-worth comes from impressing his follow animals. When he attracts the ire of the farmers, all of the burrowing animals suffer and know that it is Mr Fox's fault, putting him in a bit of squeeze. And from there it's Bean and Fox to the end.
Four bottles of liquid gold out of five.
The Darjeeling Limited at IMDB
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou at IMDB
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at IMDB
James and the Giant Peach at IMDB
Final thought: although rated PG, the audience was largely adult