Refreshingly different in this Pixar dominated world

Rating: 7/10 (1 November 2009)

The source material is very well known, it isn't completely adhered to and some American influences are apparent but suffice to say we all know the story well so I'll concentrate my preview on what Mr Anderson does with it. The visual style is, for the first few minutes, rather distracting and dated. It steadily grew on me, to the point that it became a distinct and unique feature. I can't recall another mainstream feature to use the stop motion technique in this way, in recent years. The visual trickery and inventiveness is impressive, kudos to the team who brought this to the big screen. You see the puppet's hair bristles move constantly, after their positions have ever so slightly changed.
The film's big appeal is the humour, and the assembled talent delivers it in spades. Clooney is simply magnificent, completely capturing the lead character's personality, wit and charm. Able support is provided by a star line up - Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon and Meryl Streep. Plenty of jokes that will fly over the heads of younger viewers, perhaps the majority, even. Then again, letting Wes Anderson direct an animation feature, it is to be expected...
The British audience I watched this with appeared to thoroughly enjoy the film, there were more single adults than families even though it was an afternoon screening, and I will be fascinated to see how this film does when it gets its Stateside release. It may be too offbeat, both visually and story/humour-wise, to appeal to the Pixar demograph but it is clearly a labour of love, and deserves to succeed.
Would watch again on DVD and television. I recommend this to other IMDb'ers.