SCENE SELECTION: 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' another success by Wes Anderson

November was a pretty standard, non-spectacular month. Only a few gems shined amongst the Hollywood clutter, not including independent art films that aren't released in smaller markets. Sure, there was the record breaking "New Moon," which I have no desire to see barring that it fesses up to the "vampires belonging to a completely new species of lore", and for the population of teens to snap out of their vampi-eyed love for a fictional character that in no way, shape or form can nor will sleep with them. There also was the hysterical "Men Who Stare at Goats" that didn't surpass too many expectations. The world blew up yet again, and the King of Pop returned to life for a curtain call. Audiences seemed to stay away from the sensational "Fantastic Mr. Fox," but rest assured, it gets its place of recognition for the next several minutes of reading.

Writer and director Wes Anderson has never been a mainstream director, sustaining his charm through off-beat and rather kooky, independent-oriented films. His first film "Bottle Rocket" maintains a place in my heart as funny, well made and weighty all wrapped in a fun hour and a half journey. Now he expands beyond his live action worlds, not including the fun animated scenes from other films such as "The Life Aquatic," to a seldom-explored world of stop motion animation. It is a form of filmmaking that few directors attempt, but when they do, the product is usually stunning — "Fantastic Mr. Fox" definitely included.

The story simply follows Mr. Fox as he attempts to make a life for himself away from stealing chickens. When faced with his own mid-life crisis he simply returns to his roots to make one last epic heist. The supporting characters around him brighten up the film immensely and steal some of the charm from Fox himself.

So what better actor than one of the kings of cool, the heist master himself, George Clooney, to voice the title character? I doubt you can find any other man who strives on the quirky, eccentric, hilarious roles of middle aged men. I wrote earlier this month about his habit of finding these roles in his work over the last year and he shines again here, granted it's only his voice that inhabits the character. Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox adds the grounding that her husband needs for the film, with just enough sass to overtake him on screen at any time. By far the best support here comes from Fox's sidekick Kylie, an ADD-stricken possum that is just brilliant. I can't commend the writing enough.

Anderson, along with pen-partner Noah Baumbach ("Kicking and Screaming," a must-see film for any college upperclassman, and "Margot at the Wedding"), constructed such a fun world to behold. The animals' personalities make the experience mesmerizing; full of charm, wit and connection. As a viewer, you relate to every character and you can project yourself onto any character in the film. I never thought I could see myself as either a possum or a badger, but here, anything is possible.

The writing would be all for naught if it wasn't for the stop motion animation, and camera work that defines Anderson's style. It almost is a sort of whimsical approach, with little used technique. Anderson isn't afraid to break convention by throwing out over-the-shoulder shots for the profound camera addresses. It is his style of making the camera a spectator to much of the film that makes it work so well. He masters the timing of putting the lens in the scene by stepping back and letting things occur in wide shots in a flat space. The movement at times is jaw-dropping; just try to figure out how they did it.

So what would you do when you hit your mid-life crisis; take on a massive new hobby, or do you return to your nostalgia of childhood and young adulthood? It is a great theme for a film that truly finds the magic of filmmaking. Stripped away are celebrities and fancy trickery to make it seem better and what is left is a gem that truly caps off an otherwise humdrum month from Hollywood.

Grade: A