When it came to the work written and directed by the sixth product, Wes Anderson unexpectedly did not shoot real people and turned to animation. Not the computer animation produced by Pixar, but a return to basic stop-motion animation: moving the puppet doll step by step, the "original" method of stop-motion shooting (similar to the clay dolls in "Super Gate Dog" in short) animation).
The theme is adapted from the British author Roald Dahl's storybook "Fantastic Mr. Fox" of the same name. Hong Kong people may be more familiar with his other book, which has been adapted into a movie twice. Work, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In principle, Mr. Fox is a children's story. Under the script adapted by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach, the adult-oriented thinking is retained, and children can also learn from it. Find fun.
Simplifying the theme of the story, "Mr. Fox" is actually about self-identity. Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) has had a child with Mrs. Fox (voiced by Meryl Streep), Ash (voiced by Jason Schwartzman). Chickens turned to writing newspaper columns for a living. Of course, Mr. Fox couldn't match his own nature, and he went back to his old business, and his target was to be the three big farm landlords nearby, one fat, one short and one thin, but with the same despicable character. In particular, the leader of the villain trio, Bean (voiced by Michael Gambon), vowed to eradicate the Mr. Fox family after discovering that cider was stolen from his home.
It's not only Mr. Fox who has troubles, Ash is very jealous of his cousin Kristofferson (voiced by Eric Anderson) who is full of sports skills at home. All because he was shut out of his father's covert operation, and Kristofferson has a thief mask given by Mr. Fox. He knows that he is not very talented, but like all children who grow up, he is eager to gain the approval of his father. When Mr. Fox's fox's tail is shot by a human, Ash secretly convinces Kristofferson that the two foxes sneak into the farm together, in order to snatch back Mr. Fox's tail, which was used as a tie by Bean. The thief's mask that appears in the play represents the recognition and affirmation that Ash has received. From putting on a self-made mask, to finally taking the coveted thief mask from his father's hands, it is a testimony to the mental journey of a young man.
And Mr. Fox's tail symbolizes its nature, and being taken away is equivalent to his loss of his identity as a fox. "Why a fox? Who am I? And how can a fox ever be happy without a chicken in its teeth?", this question also appears on the adults who work hard every day. Before the answer is found, the pressures of life are exhausting. Just like Mr. Fox's family and neighbors, under the threat of human revenge, they can only keep digging holes to escape. Finally, in order to understand "people", we must first recognize each person's strengths. Children's storybooks are of course Happy Ending, but the process is equally engaging and often unexpected.
Just like Wes Anderson's other films, the props and backgrounds are meticulous, the hair on Mr. Fox's body is more clearly visible, and the storybook-style art design is dizzying. Wes Anderson arranged for the actors to record on location, such as farms, warehouses, etc., to capture the most natural sound. The pomp of the voice actors is even more star-studded. In addition to George Gurney and Meryl Streep, there are also Bill Murray as lawyer Badger, Owen Wilson as coach Skip, Willem Dafoe as Mr. Fox's nemesis Rat Wait. The most hilarious is the possum Kylie (voiced by Wally Wolodarsky), who is "singing double reed" with Mr. Fox, who often creates laughs.
Only a simple story can show the mind of a group of producers. Not relying on computer stunts, only using props, imitating the stop-motion animation of fire and water immersion, there is an indescribable sense of intimacy. Animation is not just children's cartoons, you might as well expand your horizons a bit. In addition to Disney and Hayao Miyazaki, there are many works worth savouring, waiting to meet.
Original blog: http://oscarkit316.blogspot.hk/2014/02/fantastic-mr-fox-2009.html
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