SINGAPORE: Life is full of surprises.

Beneath all the fur, Wes Anderson’s stop-action animated version of the 1970s classic children’s novel by Roald Dahl is deeply human.

“Fantastic Mr Fox” bears Anderson’s trademark quirky humour which makes it a lovely oddity for all generations. Ridiculously fun from start to finish, the film works as a kids’ film but its tongue-in-cheek dialogue flecked with light cussing makes it enduring even to the adults.

“Fantastic Mr Fox” is a tale of offbeat family dynamics stemmed from the eccentric behaviour of its patriarch. George Clooney voices the corduroy-clad Mr Fox who, despite his debonairness, is a former bandit.

Tired of his career as a newspaper columnist (which Fox is convinced that no one reads) and living in a hole, he moves to a new property despite disapproval from his wife Felicity (Meryl Streep). Felicity has repeatedly urged him to trade his life of crime for something that does not threaten the comforts of domesticity.

However, Mr Fox is unable to suppress his wild animal instincts and has an ulterior motive for moving homes at heart.

Enlisting the help of adorable but perpetually befuddled possum Kylie (Wally Wolodarsky), Mr Fox hatches a plot to raid the stores of three prosperous and despicable farmers - “one fat, one short, one lean”- Boggis, Bunce and the ultramean Bean (Michael Gambon).

Upon discovery that their storehouses have been periodically ransacked by woodland critters, the farmers get out to launch a war to kill Mr Fox and the other creatures, throwing everyone into a state of frenzy. At one point, the confrontation even leads to Mr Fox getting his bushy tail shot off.

Every detail feels handmade, thanks the old-fashioned stop-motion technique employed by Anderson, which is not a bad thing.

The critters’ missions of plunder are rendered in an enduring style tinted with exotic colours, much of which are inspired by the warm autumn hues of Mother Nature. The near-psychedelic colourations of “Fantastic Mr Fox” are artful fun with a palpable texture.

Aside from being a feisty outlaw, Mr Fox is also a conflicted father figure. He seems to pay more attention to the athletic prowess of golden-boy cousin Krisofferson (Eric Anderson, brother of the director) as he dismisses his adolescent son Ash’s efforts to impress him.

Over time, the cousins’ rivalry reveals a familiar lesson - the beauty of being different - without the usual schmaltz.

The film’s treatment of the novel holds true; a fable centred on non-conformity where Mr Fox doubts his being as a fox if he tames down the wildness of his beastly spirit. “Fantastic Mr Fox” also focuses on the theme of family and retaining a spirit of teamwork to overcome the odds.

Bill Murray (as attorney Badger), Jason Schwarztman (Ash) and Owen Wilson (Ash’s sports coach) are the other top-notch voice talents that anchor the film emotionally.

Interestingly, in line with Anderson’s idiosyncrasies, the eccentric sound score, including “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”, also makes room for the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones and composer Alexandre Desplat. Jarvis Cocker, who was the former frontman for the alternative rock band Pulp, also lends his song-writing skills and voice in the very delightful “Fantastic Mr Fox AKA Petey’s Song”.

“Fantastic Mr Fox” is not a life-changing film but its visually compelling offbeat adventure sure lives up to being fantastic.

- CNA/il