Wes Anderson's Best Work Isn't 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' – It's This Stopmotion Gem

While most critics and viewers would call The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson's main masterpiece, there's another movie that surpasses all his other works in freedom of his artistic and self-expression.

Fantastic Mr. Fox, Anderson's first animated film and a stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book, was a revelation for fans of the director. Here, Anderson mastered every frame, creating a perfect world where his signature style hovers above the screen.

What Is 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' About?

The plot centers on Mr. Fox, a charismatic fox and former legendary thief who carried out daring raids on farms. Twelve years ago, however, upon learning that his wife was pregnant, he made a radical decision to quit crime.

He now writes a column for the local newspaper and tries to be a model husband and father. However, his hunting instincts and love of risk remain.

Eager to improve his family's living conditions, Mr. Fox moves into a cozy tree. The tree is located in close proximity to three wealthy farms owned by evil farmers. The temptation proves too strong, and Mr. Fox returns to his old ways.

'Fantastic Mr. Fox' Distills Everything That Makes Wes Anderson a Great Director

In Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson's signature visual style, which in live-action movies could be mistaken for excessive theatricality, achieves perfect harmony.

Stopmotion puppet animation, with its slightly jerky movements and palpable texture, matches Anderson's aesthetic perfectly.

Here, the director could control everything, from the color of the characters' fur to the tilt of a character's head in a scene – he utilized this freedom to the fullest, creating an incredibly cozy yet vibrant world where even the most absurd situations feel natural.

Notably, Anderson doesn't try to hide the artificiality of the action. On the contrary, he emphasizes it by leaving the joints of the puppets and the animators' fingerprints visible.

This technique, which might seem crude in less skilled hands, works here as an artistic device, reminding viewers that they are watching a handcrafted fairy tale created with great love.

It's the Perfect Roald Dahl Adaptation, Tackling Adult Themes in a Children's Setting

Wes Anderson proved to be the perfect interpreter of Roald Dahl, a writer who also knew how to tell lighthearted stories with distinctly adult subtexts.

Beneath the seemingly lighthearted exterior of Fantastic Mr. Fox is a witty commentary on the midlife crisis and the difficulty of renouncing one's true nature, even when it means trouble.

Mr. Fox tries to be someone he's not: he's a good father and a respected member of society, but deep down, he's a wild beast yearning for freedom. This internal conflict makes him relatable and evokes empathy, even when he makes mistakes.

The movie addresses serious issues such as family values, the cost of mistakes, and the fact that the past eventually catches up with us. However, it addresses these issues with such sensitivity and humor that Fantastic Mr. Fox remains relatable to viewers of all ages.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox'?

• Fantastic Mr. Fox has 93% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.9/10.

• On Letterboxd, Fantastic Mr. Fox scored 4.3/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Fantastic Mr. Fox'?

Fantastic Mr. Fox is available to stream on Peacock.