Comments on: “Ratatouille” review

By: Madhatter

Madhatter — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Yolao,
Can you email me your contact info? I have an animation question for you. I’m at noah.arntson@gmail.com. Thanks.

By: Don

Don — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Although the points in some reviews concerning lack of character development have merit. I agree that the themes of this film are what make it moving. As well as the themes of the individual finding himself and following his dream and the strength of family, there was a thread that had to do with the triumph of the common over the elite. This was demonstrated by a rat, the most vile and common of creatures, becoming a master chef and also by the “peasent food,” ratatouille, winning the praises of the most snobbish food critic. Both of these events give the film an ironic antithesis that for me was quite emotional. The message was in many was ploitical. This film is a romantic triumph of the common man.

By: Wolfgang

Wolfgang — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

I love pixar movies, and the two previous works of bird (iron giant and the incredibles) are wonderful works in every sense.

Ratatouille has the most amazing visuals and animation that i have ever seen in an animated CG movie.

BUT, for my, PERSONALLY IN MY OWN OPINION, the story was very very boring and NON INTERESTING, all the characters kind of have like a generic personallity and i did not care for any of them at all.
The story was very linear, with not interesting twists, and with just to much speak about cooking and not much about other themes....mmmm

I heard that Bird join the project when the story development stage was very on their way, so Bird join a bit late regarding the story development.
I`m sure if Bird was in the film since the begining the story would have been a lot more well done....

So overall, wonderful visuals and animation but IMHO boring and uninteresting story.

By: Wolfgang

Wolfgang — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

By: Wolfgang

Wolfgang — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

By: James

James — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This page is madness. Ratatouille is one of the most layered, deep, and beautiful animated movies of all time and people think it’s generic and sitcomy? I am utterly dumbfounded.

By: Phil McNally

Phil McNally — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

I am one of the amazed but also detached and slightly bored viewers of the movie. I went in feeling tired and having had the movie hyped a lot so I knew that was a tough start. It was a Monday night and there were only about 15 people in the audience. By the time Linguini (had to look up his name) is talking to Colette (and hers) I was starting to fall asleep and the younger kids were running around the isles. I guess that puts us both in the same class. I think it might fade pretty quickly from the spotlight.

The food critics child hood response was a truly powerful moment in the film that reminded me what I had been missing. The film is way better than anything else animated recently and it moved expertly from one idea to another. I just didn’t feel the ideas were that interesting in the first place. Part of the disappointment is that Pixar is the only studio that might actually surprise. They are the best and I guess I just wanted them to do even more. Somewhere in the movie a known rat could have been killed by a known human to really make it difficult between Linguini and Remey.

Emmanuel Lubezki (DP - Children of Men) in a recent interview was asked his opinion of animated movies. He said his main problem was that he never feels like any character is in real danger. This was in my mind as I watched Ratatouille. Not just physical danger but emotional danger as well. Like Cars, I dont think it passed this test. The Incredibles was different. When Mr Incredible (didnt need to look up his name was in the insurance company I could really feel his emotional stress, the depression, potentially suicidal and when he started back on secret missions I could feel the inner excitement. I only felt this for a few brief moments with the food critic which was a joy but never for any of the main characters. Also I should say that the final battle in The Incredibles lost this tension for me as it went on and on.

Ratatouille was better than most but I don’t need to see it again (although I am sure I will) and it is already slipping from my thoughts.

By: dude

dude — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Wolfgang- You either have bad taste or you are an idiot. “the story was very linear with not interesting twists?” Oh come on man, When all chefs in the kitchen left after they found out that Remy was behind Linguini’s cooking and left. Don’t tell me you knew the rats were going to help out in the kitchen. I certainly didnt.

Give the credits where its due man. Ratatoule is another great movie from Pixar and from Brad Bird. 95% from Rottentomatoes.com says alot about how great Brad Bird is. That’s 3 movies in a row from him with 95% and higher.

By: dude

dude — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

James…some people are crazy and only like Pixar rrovies but not the movies.

By: Bernard Mueller

Bernard Mueller — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Were you watching the same film that I saw? Ratatouille is a flawless masterpiece. Not just in animation, but in filmmaking. It is the equal of The Incredibles. The story, the characters, the animation, the acting and the score are all superb. Never before have I seen such an original concept that was executed with such precision. On a secondary note, why have the audacity to post your review of this film. Anton Ego’s character points out the worthlessness of scrutinizing the work of another in something so superficial as an 11 paragraph review. Why not spend your energy on creating characters and stories that succeed where, according to you, Brad Bird and Pixar have failed.