Wes Anderson doesn't make the kind of films for broad audiences, until now! "FANTASTIC MR. FOX" is the kind of film that is highly entertaining for young and old, but, most importantly, the director didn't have to sell out while making it!  Anderson has an almost anti-elitist style to his filmmaking style, and his choice to use stop-motion animation when most filmmakers are using CGI and 3-D actually keeps up his persona. While the imagery isn't as vibrant and warm as a "WALLACE AND GROMIT" film, Anderson's work is every bit as enjoyable and unique.

Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach have built up the Roald Dahl short tale with entirely new themes, again, keeping with Anderson's often poignant perspective on familial strife.  George Clooney is incredible voicing Mr. Fox. In the opening sequence Fox and his girlfriend, Felicity(Mery Streep) have found themselves in what looks to be a life-ending trap while trying to steal chickens from a farmer. He promises her, if they somehow escape their upcoming demise, he'll give up his criminal ways and find a straight job. Cut to the future, and Fox now lives a comfortable, middle-class style life with Felicity, now his wife. But Fox's job, writing a column for a newspaper doesn't fill that itch he has for the mischief and adrenaline he finds in robbing hen houses. And, it's obvious he's thinking about going back to his old ways. When Felicity gives him the news she's pregnant and we jump ahead more Fox years to the future. Mr. Fox and Felicity now have a 12 year old son, Ash, a likeable, confused, adolescent(Jason Scwartzman) frustrated at lacking the athletic prowess his cousin Kristofferson has in such excess. Fox wants to move up in status and in spite of  the warnings from his lawyer, a badger(Bill Murray) , he moves his family up into a more costly tree-house which just so happens to provide a perfect view of the properties owned by three infamous chicken farmers. Soon enough, Fox's itch to return to the thrill of the big heist gets the best of him, and a plot meant to rival "OCEANS' ELEVEN" is underway.

"FANTASTIC MR. FOX" offers something for everyone. It's funny, without ever becoming stupid. It's moving, without ever swimming in sentimentality. That's not to say it's perfect. Even at 87 minutes, there are a few scenes that feel a little too long. Still, it's one of the better films of 2009 and holds up its entertainment value and great charm over repeated viewings.

FOX has provided the correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray release. The style of the filmmaking, puppets and miniature sets, really tests the capabilities of high-definition. And, arguably the spectacular result is more meaningful than the CGI animation that's digitally shot and transferred to blu-ray from many other animated films. Here, the actual detail of the synthetic fur used for Mr. Fox and other characters is visible close-up! The level of intricate detail is just amazing in every shot! The way in which golden hues, alongside occasional pastel colors, all coordinate with an incredibly pleasing symmetry, is just something that needs to be seen to be appreciated. Blacks are inky and darker scenes are as magical as bright ones. It's a nearly flawless image!

FOX has provided a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. It's not as aggressive as this reviewer had expected it to be. Even in the "heist" scenes, surrounds are fairly restrained. However, occasional ambient effects add some warmth and broaden the soundstage. There's plenty of separation in the front speakers, and of course, Anderson's choice of music is wonderful, and it's here that the lossy mix really demonstrates its full potential. A really good mix.(just not great)

In addition to the theatrical trailer(1080p), a featurette(1080p) running almost 45 minutes in length,(MAKING MR. FOX FANTASTIC), offers a great perspective at the production, offering behind-the-scenes footage at the workshop, visiting Clooney and Murray record scenes, and more. A fun featurette.

Of course, a dvd and digital copy are also included.