In the various trailers for director Wes Anderson's animated film, the narrator claims that "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is open to everyone of all ages. But let's face it here Wes, kids aren't going to want to see this. In fact whether intentionally or not, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is so mature that you'll be hard pressed to find anyone under eleven who would sit through this movie without falling or sleep or focusing on something completely disconnected. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is strictly for Anderson fans. It's something that goes unsaid but is quite obvious if you really see what Anderson tries to do for the animation genre this year. He goes for fluid and often stunning stop motion technology and tells a story that features so many back and forth moments of pure dialogue that will go over the heads of most people. And  yet when it was done, I realized I'd quite enjoyed "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Attribute it to my unbridled love for anything animated, but Anderson's efforts to create an above par animated film works and quite often the film has such sharp wit and clever uses of the animal kingdom that it's difficult not to like. Mr. Fox is a man with big aspirations and most of them include caring for his family and friends until he comes out of retirement and decides to steal from the three biggest farmers in the world.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" has its own goal as it manages to compete in maturity and scope with Pixar and sometimes measures up to their ability to tell grand stories with simplistic morals. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" never quite has a message to it, in the end. It is instead a quirky look at animals trying to survive after stealing from farmers and learn how to co-exist when forced underground. Anderson provides further examples on why this isn't a children's film by casting mostly indie actors in the roles for the film. George Clooney and Meryl Streep are great as Mr. and Mrs. Fox. Considering his knack for developing solely dramas, Clooney takes to animation with skill and always commits to the charm and wit of Mr. Fox. There are of course the respective talents (and veterans of Anderson's films) of Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman. No, as the movie progresses it's clear that this isn't one movie family's will want to see during the holidays or on their days off, instead it's simply a treat for Anderson fans looking for something different. And boy is it different.

I'll be honest with you, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is tame and charming and a good time, but it definitely isn't a movie that will appeal to kids and tweens looking for a more energetic animated film. Anderson's flick is strictly for his fans.