Reel Critics:

Roald Dahl wrote unusual books for children that feature mystery and danger in complex story lines. “James and the Giant Peach” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” have already captured the attention of major filmmakers. Director Wes Anderson now takes on the challenge of Dahl’s wry and quirky tale “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

Hollywood superstars George Clooney and Meryl Streep voice the foxy husband-and-wife team. They deliver sparkling dialogue and rapid fire wit throughout the show. But Mr. Fox proves to have as much mischief as intelligence in his personality. His character flaws drive the rollicking plot with serious consequences for his family and animal friends.

Three angry farmers declare war on the furry protagonists who plunder their chicken coops and gardens. Many wild adventures follow in the battles between the humans and woodland creatures. Anderson uses old-fashioned stop-motion animation to give charming life to the memorable scenes. The crisp 88-minute running time lends itself to the many twists and turns of the snappy action.

This is a remarkable movie with family values and sharp social satire in equal measure. It will entertain multiple generations and stands on its own merits.

It should garner some Oscar attention and make the top 10 list of a few critics, including my own.

‘The Road’ to a whimpering end

“The Road” is a bleak and brutal look at a future where the “days get a little grayer every day,” almost all life has mysteriously died and trees topple to their deaths. Doesn’t sound like typical feel-good holiday fare, does it?

Yet in spite of its depressing severity, this is an achingly tender story about a father’s love for his young son, played beautifully by Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Born after the apocalypse, constant fear and starvation, bitter cold and wet is all the life this boy has ever known. Imagine how hard it would be to tell your child you have saved two bullets in your gun, in case you are faced with an unthinkable fate.

Through flashbacks, we learn of the father’s happier days with his wife (Charlize Theron), and there are moments when these memories overcome him. They journey south, hopeful that a better place awaits them where the sea is blue and no one will hunt them for food.

“The Road” is a movie about the world coming to an end, not with a rousing big bang as in “2012,” but with a whimper of genuine tenderness. It’s a journey to nowhere that will move you to tears.

JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.