The first impression I got from watching the quirky, animated stop-motion film “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is that it’s a fun, lighthearted film about clever animals and the angry, vengeful farmers who seek to harm them. The film follows Mr. Fox, an ex-thief, who cannot help himself from returning to his old ways of stealing food, despite the promises made to his wife that he would try to live a safer, more quiet life. When Mr. Fox does finally give in to his wild nature again, his actions put his family and friends at risk and causes chaos to erupt. Even though the film has many laughs and is action-packed, it also is a thoughtful and emotional film, especially concerning family, identity and growing-up.

One of the most powerful elements of the film is the relationship between Ash and his father. Ash spends most of the film wanting to prove to his father that he can live up to his idea of exceptional. However, Ash continually feels like he is being over-looked by his father, especially with the arrival of Kristofferson. Kristofferson is naturally talented and appears to be perfect, everything Ash believes he is not. The comparisons of Ash and Kristofferson cause Ash to feel insecure and believe he will never be good enough in the eyes of his father.

This dynamic of comparing oneself to another person that appears to be superior is particularly relevant to teenagers today. With so many avenues to compare ourselves to others , it is easy to fall into the trap of believing you are inferior. Ash’s frustrations aren’t simply jealousy, it is the fear of never being able to measure up to his father in whatever way he sees fit. His struggles reflect the common pressures teenagers deal with daily, which include figuring out who they are while being compared to everyone around them.

What makes the film “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, so powerful is that it does not suggest that the pursuit of perfection is the ultimate goal. Ash does not become Kristofferson, nor do I think he needs to. Instead, Ash begins to realize that the things that make him different (even the awkward and messy aspects), are the things that provide him with confidence and strength. At the same time, Mr. Fox begins to understand that being “fantastic”, is not necessarily about standing out above all others, but rather about providing for those who depend on you.

Ultimately, the film presents that growing-up is not about finding someone new to become, but instead finding your own sense of self and accepting yourself for who you already are. For teenagers dealing with the pressure of expectations, comparisons, and complex relationships with their parents, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, provides a gentle reminder that one’s identity is not something earned, but rather something that grows as you mature.