Fantastic Mr. Fox

Theatrical Release: November 25, 2009
Fantastic Mr. Fox
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faith
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 Content Rating Descriptions

Synopsis

“The Fantastic Mr. Fox” is visionary director Wes Anderson’s first animated film, utilizing classic handmade stop motion techniques to tell the story of the best selling children’s book by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach).

Mr and Mrs Fox (Clooney and Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (Eric Anderson). But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers – Boggis, Bunce and Bean – who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr Fox at any cost.

Dove Review

The animation is unique and vivid in this film, and a father fox whose lifestyle causes his family all kinds of problems takes a bit of responsibility in the end. And I just ran out of good things to say because the father, despite owning a job at a newspaper, continues to steal and has his family and friends steal from a super market while it is closed for the night. Sure, foxes dig into chicken coops and steal. However, this movie represents CHARACTERS, and characters stand for people. There is a lot of violence in the movie, with several characters dying, weapons being used, stealing, teen age rebellion and a lack of respect shown to adults, as well as drinking and smoking. Perhaps most disturbing of all is the word “cuss” being used in place of other words. In one line a character says, “Oh my Cuss” instead of using the name “God”. It is sad when God is called “Cuss”.

One reviewer said to me after the screening, “I can’t think of any redeeming value in the film,” and sadly-he is right. It is safe to say it is not a kid-friendly or family-friendly film at all. Many families would be disappointed going into a screening of this film without being prepared for what is to come. And many of our Dove families will not want to attend, now knowing what we have shared. There are a couple of funny moments in the movie, but that alone cannot make up for the 87 minutes of immoral behavior that is on display. We regrettably cannot award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to this film.

Content Description

Faith: None
Violence: A character kills a chicken by eating it in one bite; several characters are electrocuted on an electric fence and their skeletons are seen; a rat brandishes a switch blade; a crime spree; a fox tail is shot off and set on fire and later mangled; one female character scratches her husband; a character practices target shooting; a character tears up a place in anger; a character throws a cigarette at a musician and tells him he wrote a bad song; a character beats up another one; ducks are held up dead by their feet; a character comes after other characters with a meat cleaver; characters are shot at; a rat dies; fires are started and a character is set on fire; a dog chases bad guys; a character is seen with weapons.
Sex: Mr. Fox and his wife kiss; Mrs. Fox announces she's pregnant and then does so again near the film's end; another fox couple kiss.
Language: The word "Cuss" is used in place of other words, or profanities, for example: "What the cuss is going on?" It is used several times (I lost count) and we have to note it is used in place of "God" as one line says, "Oh my Cuss" instead of using the name "God".
Violence: A character kills a chicken by eating it in one bite; several characters are electrocuted on an electric fence and their skeletons are seen; a rat brandishes a switch blade; a crime spree; a fox tail is shot off and set on fire and later mangled; one female character scratches her husband; a character practices target shooting; a character tears up a place in anger; a character throws a cigarette at a musician and tells him he wrote a bad song; a character beats up another one; ducks are held up dead by their feet; a character comes after other characters with a meat cleaver; characters are shot at; a rat dies; fires are started and a character is set on fire; a dog chases bad guys; a character is seen with weapons.
Drugs: Alcoholic cider is consumed; one character smokes during most of the movie; a character holds drink in his hand; wine is consumed; a comment about having too much to drink; champagne; an unlit cigarette in character's mouth.
Nudity: None
Other: Mr. Fox steals for a living although he has a job at a newspaper; Mr. Fox's son spits whenever he is unhappy and rebellious; a dog eats poison and dies; several characters practice yoga and meditate; a man eats poison and dies; a man eats donuts and ignores a crime spree; a kid fox wants to help his dad steal cider; a kid plans to steal back something stolen from his dad; a few characters lie.

Info

Company: 20th Century Fox
Writer: Roald Dahl and Wes Anderson
Director: Wes Anderson
Producer: Allison Abbate
Genre: Animated
Runtime: 87 min.
Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter