I have to admit, I liked the movie a lot more than I did the book (which rarely ever happens). And I'm a bit ashamed to say it because so many people love Roald Dahl because he was such a big part of their childhood, but unfortunately I never read his books as a kid so I'm just now getting around to them as part of my BBC book list challenge. The movie just had a lot more action and a more satisfying ending (as well as some awesome voice-over actors like George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray). Also, the female characters didn't start to swoon and almost die after a couple days without food in the movie (the females are presented as kind of the weaker sex that needs to be taken care of in the book). It was a fun story though and it would be good to bring to children's (maybe ages 7 and up?) attention because it makes you wonder why it's okay to root on Mr. Fox as he steals from three hard-working (but "mean") farmers, but it's not okay to steal overall. Also, why is it okay for Mr. Fox and Gang to exact revenge on the farmers (via hoarding their stolen goods), but it's not cool for the farmers to try to protect their livelihoods by trying to shoot the animals? It'd probably make for some interesting discussions with younger kids.Every time I hear of Fantastic Mr. Fox I get this lovely song stuck in my head:
Boggis and Bunce and Bean
One fat, one short, one lean.
These horrible crooks
So different in looks
Were nonetheless equally mean.
