Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack)

Comment: If you havent seen this movie yet, go for it. I had to rent it because I've been reading my five year old Roald Dahl books for a while now (You GOTTA read Roald Dahl to your kids people... it expands their brains and is just fun to read out loud, such twisted vocabulary!) While Fantastic Mr. Fox was never my favorite of his books (its rather sparse) I had to see what Wes Anderson did with the movie, as I have always liked his stuff, and really liked the claymation work that was incorporated in his Life Aquatic movie... the movie was great, taking a fair spin on the original story by Roald Dahl, and making it his own... slightly.

Wes Anderson movies just wouldn't be Wes Anderson movies without that specially blended soundtrack, and on Fantastic Mr. Fox the soundtrack does not dissapoint. Blending classics in a way that will have the kids listening as intently as the nostalgia thirsty parent (ah hem)... BALLAD OF DAVEY CROCKET anyone? How about three choice tunes from Burl Ives, or even STREET FIGHTING MAN by the Stones. The tunes cut up the score, which was perfect for the film, and even incorporates in some of that somewhat nasty Roald Dahl prose into song form. Great stuff to pop in the car when you're hauling the kiddos around...

Comment: This is a fabulous movie soundtrack. I think even people who haven't seen the movie will like it! It's got a delicious mix of all kinds of music. Believe it or not, it was great to hear Burl Ives' seemingly silly folk songs from the 50s, after all these years. How can you not like an album that starts off with The Ballad of Davy Crockett?

Comment: After I saw the movie, I wanted to continue listening to the music, so I bought this soundtrack. The score by Alexandre Desplat is playful, joyous and nostalgic at the same time. Combined with the tunes by the Beach Boys, Jarvis Cocker and Burl Yves, this soundtrack managed to do what other records couldn't: making me play it again, and again and again. Great work!

Comment: I'm going to be honest. I never actually saw the movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox" due to taking a keen interest in the said film at too late a date, (was removed from theaters at the last second in my area.) But seeing as how the release for this movie on DVD is just over the horizon, I thought to check out the soundtrack in preperation and anticipation. And it did not disappoint! This CD (or MP3 album) has a little bit of everything that sure to please the ears and appeal to a wide variety of tastes!

The composers and bands range from The long-since-heard-of french musician Alexandre Desplat. The always upbeat and catchy Beach Boys. The group with a south aesthetic, The Wellingtons. The late but still nevertheless kicking musically, Burl Ives. The occasionally docile and beautifully played Georges Delerue. The unmistakable Rolling Stones. The colorful banjo player, Jarvis Cocker. The classic Art Tatum. And the simply superb Bobby Fuller Four. There's even a song in there sung back Nancy Adams that's reminiscent of another film starring foxes.

Each of these many groups and lone wolves play an important factor in the overall end product by contributing something truly special of their own! Whether it be the "Ol' Man River" piece that puts the mind at ease, or the rousing orchestral score that is "Stunt Expo 2004," or even the brisk but undeniably refreshing "Mr. Fox In The Fields" that elegantly paints a canvas in one's head of broad green acres spanning miles amid a clear blue sky. Every song offered feels like something different; making for an irresistibly unique list that is nothing short of a pleasure to hear!

Bottom line, if your curious about this one then don't hesitate to give it a listen. With the numurious styles from a hefty quantity of wonderful artists, there's certain to be something that will stick out to the listener as both immensely enjoyable and unquestionably memorable!

And if the movie is as good as it's score, then March 23rd couldn't come faster!

Comment: I really enjoy the Fantastic Mr. Fox soundtrack, and I'm glad it was nominated for an Academy Award. (In a slightly related note, I'm glad Up's soundtrack was nominated as well.) This CD is a good mix of songs by film composer Alexandre Desplat and licensed songs. The first track "American Empirical Pictures" serves as a nice intro to "The Ballad of Davy Crockett". The soundtrack includes two songs (sung) by the Beach Boys: "Hereos and Villains" and "Ol' Man River". There are three Burl Ives songs, and a few other classic rock songs.

The song "Fantastic Mr. Fox AKA Petey's Song" has really clever lyrics, and I think it deserves one or two awards anywhere. Using the song "Love" (sung by Nancy Adams) makes a subtle connection between this film and another film, based on shared key story elements in each.

What really stands out on this soundtrack, however, are the tracks "Great Harrowsford Square" and "Stunt Expo 2004", where Alexandre Desplat takes the original lyrics of "Boggis Bunce and Bean" which Roald Dahl wrote and composes music for it. Then the London Oratory School Boy's Choir sings the lyrics as if they were "local human children" singing about the farmers. With the cool arangement backing it, and the climatic scene which it accompanies in the film, this just might be the Crowning Music of Awesome for both the soundtrack and movie, but that's just my opinion. If you loved "Fantastic Mr. Fox", then I reccommend getting this soundtrack too when you buy the film on DVD. If you really loved the film, then you should get the "making of" book about the film, written by Wes Anderson himself. It includes lots of concept art and photos of the puppets, interviews, and more.

Anyway, this is a great soundtrack, and one I'm glad I purchased.