Ratatouille

TheAuthor · Ratatouille

A Disney/Pixar film. You might've guessed from the CG animation.

Ratatouille arrived on Tuesday from Netflix. The plot is a small rat discovers he has a gift for smell and taste, but isn't cut out to live his life in the gutter so to speak. He finds himself in a Parisian restaurant and ends up helping a gawky young man become the greatest chef in France. There is a lot going on that ISN'T mentioned in the summary which is why I loved it.

First of all, I love Pixar. I'm not big into 3D art or CG animation typically. But I love Pixar. They've got it. They know how to GROW like an artist and don't just settle for "it's good enough to put in McDonald's toys" like most animation companies. They understand that greatness comes from acknowledging your accomplishments and then using them as a step ladder to get higher. They've yet to disappoint me.

The great steps they've taken in this movie is color/lighting and movement. You are constantly on a roller coaster of scenery, dodging big humans from a rat's perspective, looping through a cluttered kitchen and diving into swirling water. Your eyes aren't going to relax. I recommend watching this movie in the dark or with the shades drawn. The coloration goes from candle-lit bright to utter darkness and a lot of that beautiful detail can be lost to glare. They also create great atmosphere. The food critic is frightening and to make him even more so, they've given him a Nosferatu-esque appearance (skeletal hands clasped one over the other etc), his office is shaped like a coffin and his typewriter, from the right angle, looks like a skull. You have to pay attention or you'll miss these great little secrets they seem to put in without any mind to it.

The expressions the characters had were brilliant. You could sympathize so easily with all of them. I don't laugh out loud alone very often, but I chuckled a few times just watching the faces on these characters. Also they were unique. The female wasn't a headstrong bimbo or the cold-but-interested type. She was very goal-oriented. The young man was brilliantly voiced and animated. You couldn't help but fall in love with him at first sight.

There are a lot of the French stereotypes, too. The high arched brows, the stuck-up nose, the little weeny mustache and the look as if they've smelled something horrible and need to condescend to it. If you've seen "The Triplets of Belleville" you know what I'm talking about.

There is a great line about being a critic at the end of the movie that I wish I could/had the ambition to find, but I think you need to see this film for yourself.

KitFang

I got to see this one over xmas when we visited family. I enjoyed it quite thoroughly! I'm glad you liked it, Rae.
I will add my recommendation to it too! See it, folks!

Fish

Oh, yes, I love Ratatouille. The characters, the symbolism (the critics' office? shaped like a coffin), the dialogue, and the pure silliness. One of my fgavorite Pixar films.

Also, the soundtrack by Michael Giacchino in incredible. It captures the very essence of Paris- the rustic-ness, the sophistication, and the romance. I love it. <3