An odd choice it may be for the launch film of this year's London Film Festival, but Fantastic Mr Fox is a thoroughly entertaining experience which works with the advantages (and noticeable disadvantages) of stop-motion animation to create a unique vision suitable for all.

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). The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jarvis Cocker.

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.

One of Roald Dahl's lesser known stories is a light and whimsical tale which one would imagine not being ideal for feature-length adaptation. Thankfully Wes Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach clearly know this and as such have delivered an entirely original take on the story. Casting George Clooney in the 'Cary Grant' type role of Mr Fox is obvious casting, but it works. He's smooth and suave giving a well rounded and likable character full impact from the opening scenes.

The rest of the cast are fit the film perfectly and initial reservations of an all-American cast filling out quintessentially English roles are quickly dispelled. Director Wes Anderson explains this (at the UK Launch no less) by saying that as he wrote the lines in an American 'voice' it made sense to cast the voices as he did. Also worth watching for another great performance from Bill Murray who was on great form at the Press conference as well.

Read more about the London Film Festival check out our Festival Page and read more from the Press Conference.

Rating: ****

Starring: George Clooney, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Meryl Streep, willem Defoe, Owen Wilson and Michael Gambon
Director: Wes Anderson
Writer: Roald Dahl (novel), Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach (Screenplay)

FANTASTIC MR. FOX hits UK cinemas 23rd October 2009

Official website: www.fantasticmrfox-movie.co.uk

Review by: Cassam Looch