First look at Wes Anderson’s animated Fantastic Mr Fox

We can’t quite put our finger on it but something seems a bit off in the trailer for Wes Anderson’s animated adap of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox.

Perhaps it’s the oddly muted vocal performances – George Clooney sounds catatonic as the eponymous Mr Fox and we’re pretty sure badgers don’t speak like Bill Murray.

Or maybe it’s the flat, stagey, platform-game-style animation. It seems like all the characters are playing to an imaginary audience.

We have to admit our opinion’s been coloured by the recent article in Empire magazine which suggested that Anderson was directing the movie via email and leaving most of the work to cinematographer and Aardman stalwart Tristan Oliver – a stark contrast to the hands-on attitude of someone like John Lassiter who’s always willing to ditch directors, rewrite scenes, and change things which aren’t working.

Still, we will see what’s what when Fantastic Mr Fox hits UK cinemas on October 23. We’re interested to know what you think. Opinions below, please.