personal development plans: Fantastic Mr Fox

Yesterday (26/10) I went to the cinema to watch Fantastic Mr Fox which was originally, as everyone should know, a children's story written by Roald Dahl.Now,being a fan of the books by Roald Dahl I had high expectations for the film but ended up leaving with mixed feelings for it.

Firstly,while I was watching the film I noticed alot of differences between the film and the book with regards to the storyline which at times was abit confusing because you'd think they'd follow the story of the book?Nowhere in the book does it mention Mr Fox having a Possum for a 'sidekick' when he's on his chicken robbing sprees.Nor does it say Mr Fox has 1 little fox cub with a cousin visiting,it says he has 4 little fox cubs.

I found it quite amusing that in the film they used words children would find too difficult to understand and also has the Rat prancing round with a knife...KNIFE?!Does this not give out the wrong example to children?In the book the Rat does not have a knife and run round like he owns the place fighting with Mr Fox.In the book the Rat runs from Mr Fox because he's scared of Mr Fox.Then, there is the death scene of Rat which I'm pretty sure some 5 year old watching this scene was sat there crying his eyes out.

Apart from this the film was all in all...good.The animation style was actually quite amazing as it was made through Stop Motion and looked very impressive.For example in alot of the film you'll notice little things like the wind moving the fur of the animals.

The voices,who included Bill Murray(Ghostbusters) and George Clooney(Oceans 12/13),were played remarkably well and added to the mood and feel of the film which was abit like Black Humour.The most comical features of the film were the farmers Boggis(Fat),Bunce(Short) and Bean(Tall and Skinny) who try to kill all the animals on the land after Mr Fox goes too far and his Possum 'sidekick' who goes into a trance everytime Mr Fox is speaking to him.

What this film does show, that the book doesn't, is a slight case of morale.Mr Fox basically deceives Mrs Fox and lies to her and goes behind his friends and families backs to do his robbing sprees.Mr Fox then makes a mess out of everything for everyone and has to fix it all himself.As the saying goes..."What goes around,comes around"...and the film emphasises this well.

I still have mixed feelings over the film unlike the book.I'd maybe have to watch it once or twice more to make up my mind about it.I would recommend going to watch it if you like Stop Motion and if you're a fan of Roald Dahl to give your comparison between the film and the book.