Tension between the generations flares when nephew Kristofferson (Anderson) comes to stay and puts poor Ash in the shade.

Mr Fox cannot completely shy away from his animal instincts, and he turns to stealing from farmers Bunce (Guinness), Bean (Gambon) and Boggis (Cox), roping in Kristofferson to his hare-brained schemes.

Having been humiliated by the fox, the trio lay siege to the trees where the family resides and open fire on Mr Fox, shooting off his bushy tail.

Luckily, neighbouring critters including Badger (Murray) rally around Mr Fox in his hour of need to help him elude the pursuers.

Fantastic Mr Fox is a visual triumph, let down slightly by a screenplay that doesn’t know to which audience it is trying to appeal.

The articulated characters have plenty of personality and there are some neat flourishes like when Mr Fox compliments his wife, “You’re practically glowing, maybe it’s the lighting”, and her head is suddenly illuminated from within.

The climactic escape is mind- boggling, leading to another cute gag reminiscent of Wallace and Gromit when Mr Fox races towards Bean’s motorcycle and sidecar and drives away in an exact miniature replica hidden behind the hulking machine.

The vocal performances from Clooney and Streep lend warmth to their warring couple, with fine support from Schwartzman, Murray and co, who are all regular collaborators on Anderson’s films.

For its technical ingenuity, Fantastic Mr Fox is a film you admire and marvel at rather than unreservedly love.