Wes Anderson’s latest film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, is an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel of the same name. Dahl’s novels, which have helped usher many a disgruntled kid through childhood, don’t condescend to the young, but there’s an element of whimsy that makes readers want to live in his world. Wes Anderson’s movies, on the other hand, can be hit-or-miss for most people, though if you’ve read the past few weeks for me, you know that they’re hits with me. His films tend toward the pretentious, with hints of the war of mid-life crisis and he uses a broad cast of actors repeatedly in his movies. Understated line delivery, artfully composed shots, and a focus on dysfunction alienate some viewers while drawing ardent fans from the other end of the spectrum. Nonetheless, the combination of Dahl and Anderson proves a winner in this film, with Dahl’s fanciful novel providing a great backdrop for Anderson’s regimented directorial style. Continue reading MasterChugs Theater: ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’
Tag: animation
Dreamworks Animation: Quantity is quality
Dreamworks announced that they will make more animated movies per year than they have in the past.
Right now, they have eight scheduled for release by 2012, including:
- A Kung Fu Panda sequel*
- Another Madagascar sequel*
- Another ####ing Shrek sequel*
- Four films that are identical (but with a twist!) to whatever Pixar puts out each year
- And one for the grown-ups — PG-13, of course
So, yes, technically, there will be more “new” “Dreamworks” films every year from now to 2012. We, for four, certainly can’t wait to see each and every one of them!
*Actually annouced by the studio.