Overlay: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - Rating and Contributing Elements

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#Q ORIGINAL QUESTION

Regarding the film Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), what was the film rated (e.g. R, PG, G), and what elements of the film contributed to that rating?

#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE

The film Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) was rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). In the United Kingdom, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) also gave it a PG rating.

The rating was attributed to "action, smoking and slang humor." Below are the specific elements and details that contributed to this classification:

1. Action and Mild Violence

While the film is an animated stop-motion feature, it contains several sequences of peril and physical conflict:

Animal Death and Injury: Mr. Fox's tail is shot off by Farmer Bean and subsequently used as a necktie. A character (the Rat) is killed during a fight in a sewer, and several chickens are depicted being killed (off-screen or via "neck-snapping" motions).
Human Hostility: The three farmers (Boggis, Bunce, and Bean) use aggressive tactics to kill the foxes, including shotguns, large excavating machinery, and even an attempt to drown the animals by flooding the tunnels with cider.
Physical Altercations: There is a tense knife-fight involving a flick-knife (switchblade) wielded by a rat. In another scene, Mrs. Fox scratches Mr. Fox's face during an argument, leaving visible marks.
Perilous Stunts: Characters are frequently chased by rabid-looking dogs, electrocuted on a security fence, and caught in explosions.

2. Slang Humor and "Cussing"

The film is famous for its creative approach to profanity, which allowed it to maintain a family-friendly rating while keeping director Wes Anderson's adult-leaning wit:

The "Cuss" Gags: Instead of using actual swear words, characters substitute the word "cuss" for every profanity (e.g., "Shut the cuss up," or "You're a little cuss, aren't you?"). While the actual words are never said, the intent and context of the "cursing" are clear to the audience.
Mature Dialogue: The script includes sophisticated humor and "slang" that deals with adult frustrations, such as Mr. Fox's existential mid-life crisis and professional dissatisfaction.

3. Smoking and Alcohol Use

The film depicts habits that are more common in 1960s-era literature than modern children's animation:

Smoking: One of the main antagonists, Farmer Bean, is frequently seen smoking cigarettes. Another character, a farmer, smokes a cigar.
Alcohol: The plot revolves heavily around the farmers' "hard cider," which is treated as a highly intoxicating and addictive substance. Characters are shown drinking it, and one character (the Rat) appears to be an alcoholic who is "guarding" the cider cellar.

4. Mature Themes

While not a direct factor in "Action/Violence" ratings, these elements contributed to the "Parental Guidance" suggestion:

Complex Family Dynamics: The film explores themes of parental neglect, sibling rivalry (between Ash and Kristofferson), and marital dishonesty.
Theft and Deception: The protagonist is a habitual thief who lies to his wife and endangers his entire community to satisfy his personal "wild" instincts.
(Note: This summary was generated by Gemini 3.0 Flash + Search)

#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)

[1] Multiple sources confirm the MPAA rated Fantastic Mr. Fox as PG.

[2] BBFC UK rating of PG confirmed by multiple sources.

[3] The exact official MPAA rating explanation is 'action, smoking and slang humor'.

[4] Parent guides confirm Mr. Fox's tail is shot off and later used as a necktie by Bean.

[5] The rat fight occurs in an underground electric generator room, not a sewer. IMDB states: 'The fight between Mr. Fox and Rat inside an electric generator room underground.'

[6] Chickens are killed off-screen with humorous discretion shots according to parent guides.

[7] Multiple sources confirm farmers use guns, machinery, and various violent methods.

[8] Sources confirm flooding the tunnels with cider is one method used.

[9] BBFC and parent guides specifically mention confrontations with a rat wielding a flick-knife/switchblade.

[10] Parent guides confirm Mrs. Fox scratches Mr. Fox's face during an argument with visible marks.

[11] Dogs chase the animals and characters are electrocuted on electric fences (played for laughs).

[12] While explosives are used, sources emphasize the animals are not shown being harmed: 'we see a hole but no evidence of the animals being harmed.'

[13] The 'cuss' substitution is well-documented across all parent guides as a running joke throughout the film.

[14] Reviews confirm the film deals with adult themes like mid-life crisis and existential frustration.

[15] Parent guides confirm Franklin Bean is seen smoking a cigarette every time he appears.

[16] Sources only confirm Bean smoking cigarettes and Mr. Fox smoking a tobacco pipe once. No specific mention of another farmer smoking a cigar was found.

[17] Multiple sources confirm hard alcoholic cider is central to the plot and characters drink it.

[18] While the Rat does drink cider and guards the cellar, sources don't explicitly characterize him as 'an alcoholic' - this is an interpretation.

[19] Reviews confirm themes of parental neglect (Mr. Fox ignoring Ash), sibling rivalry (Ash vs Kristofferson), and marital dishonesty.

[20] The plot centers on Mr. Fox stealing despite promises to his wife and endangering the animal community.

#O MISSED POINTS & OVERSIGHTS

Low

BBFC specific rating reasoning beyond MPAA explanation

The AI summary mentions the BBFC PG rating but doesn't note that the BBFC specifically cited 'mild violence and scary scenes' as their reasoning, which differs slightly from the MPAA's 'action, smoking and slang humor' explanation.

Low

Mr. Fox also smokes a tobacco pipe once

While the summary mentions Farmer Bean smoking cigarettes, it fails to note that Mr. Fox himself also smokes a tobacco pipe on one occasion, which is part of the smoking content.

Medium

Dogs are drugged with poisoned blueberries

The summary doesn't mention that Mr. Fox drugs guard dogs and even a farmer (Boggis) with drug-laced blueberries to facilitate his thefts, which is a notable content element involving substance use.

Low

Some blood is shown in the tail-shooting scene

Parent guides note that when Mr. Fox's tail is shot off, 'a bit of blood at the end which was attached' is visible. The summary mentions the tail being shot off but omits the blood detail.

Low

Wine and champagne consumption in addition to cider

While the summary emphasizes hard cider, sources also document characters drinking wine and champagne at various points in the film.

#C RELATED QUERIES

#01 BBFC Fantastic Mr Fox rating reasoning full text

#02 Fantastic Mr Fox drugged blueberries scene

#03 Fantastic Mr Fox Mr Fox smoking pipe scene

#S SOURCES

#R ORIGINAL AI RESPONSE

▼

The film *Fantastic Mr. Fox* (2009) was rated **PG** (Parental Guidance Suggested) by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). In the United Kingdom, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) also gave it a **PG** rating. The rating was attributed to "action, smoking and slang humor." Below are the specific elements and details that contributed to this classification: ### 1. Action and Mild Violence While the film is an animated stop-motion feature, it contains several sequences of peril and physical conflict: * **Animal Death and Injury:** Mr. Fox's tail is shot off by Farmer Bean and subsequently used as a necktie. A character (the Rat) is killed during a fight in a sewer, and several chickens are depicted being killed (off-screen or via "neck-snapping" motions). * **Human Hostility:** The three farmers (Boggis, Bunce, and Bean) use aggressive tactics to kill the foxes, including shotguns, large excavating machinery, and even an attempt to drown the animals by flooding the tunnels with cider. * **Physical Altercations:** There is a tense knife-fight involving a flick-knife (switchblade) wielded by a rat. In another scene, Mrs. Fox scratches Mr. Fox's face during an argument, leaving visible marks. * **Perilous Stunts:** Characters are frequently chased by rabid-looking dogs, electrocuted on a security fence, and caught in explosions. ### 2. Slang Humor and "Cussing" The film is famous for its creative approach to profanity, which allowed it to maintain a family-friendly rating while keeping director Wes Anderson's adult-leaning wit: * **The "Cuss" Gags:** Instead of using actual swear words, characters substitute the word "cuss" for every profanity (e.g., "Shut the cuss up," or "You're a little cuss, aren't you?"). While the actual words are never said, the intent and context of the "cursing" are clear to the audience. * **Mature Dialogue:** The script includes sophisticated humor and "slang" that deals with adult frustrations, such as Mr. Fox's existential mid-life crisis and professional dissatisfaction. ### 3. Smoking and Alcohol Use The film depicts habits that are more common in 1960s-era literature than modern children's animation: * **Smoking:** One of the main antagonists, Farmer Bean, is frequently seen smoking cigarettes. Another character, a farmer, smokes a cigar. * **Alcohol:** The plot revolves heavily around the farmers' "hard cider," which is treated as a highly intoxicating and addictive substance. Characters are shown drinking it, and one character (the Rat) appears to be an alcoholic who is "guarding" the cider cellar. ### 4. Mature Themes While not a direct factor in "Action/Violence" ratings, these elements contributed to the "Parental Guidance" suggestion: * **Complex Family Dynamics:** The film explores themes of parental neglect, sibling rivalry (between Ash and Kristofferson), and marital dishonesty. * **Theft and Deception:** The protagonist is a habitual thief who lies to his wife and endangers his entire community to satisfy his personal "wild" instincts. (Note: This summary was generated by Gemini 3.0 Flash + Search)

#A DIRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED ANALYSIS)

▼

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) was rated PG by the MPAA with the official explanation 'action, smoking and slang humor.' The BBFC in the UK also gave it a PG rating, citing 'mild violence and scary scenes.' The rating was primarily driven by:

Action/Violence: Farmers attempt to kill animals using guns, explosives, and machinery; Mr. Fox's tail is shot off (with some blood visible); a rat is killed in a fight in an underground electric generator room; animals are electrocuted on electric fences (played for laughs); chickens are killed off-screen; a rat wields a switchblade; Mrs. Fox scratches Mr. Fox's face leaving visible marks.
Slang Humor: Characters substitute the word 'cuss' for profanity throughout the film (e.g., 'What the cuss?'), clearly indicating where actual swear words would be used while maintaining a family-friendly approach.
Smoking: Farmer Bean smokes cigarettes throughout the film; Mr. Fox smokes a tobacco pipe on one occasion.
Alcohol: The plot centers on hard alcoholic cider that is described as very intoxicating; animals drink the cider, wine, and champagne; one character (Mr. Fox) says he's had too much to drink.
Other Content: Dogs and a farmer are drugged with poisoned blueberries; themes of theft, marital dishonesty, parental neglect, and sibling rivalry; the Rat is referred to as guarding the cider cellar and drinks it.

The film's PG rating reflects its combination of mild animated violence, creative profanity substitution, depictions of smoking and drinking, and mature thematic content that may go over younger children's heads but is generally appropriate for grade-schoolers with parental guidance.

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