Ratatouille (Brad Bird, 2007)

[domino harvey]

Jackie Harvey ghostwrote that review

[Svevan]

Ratatouille is an excellent and beautiful film. The Pixar team has fully embraced digital "focus," racking focus between different characters and objects, making entire scenes blurry save for one character, eschewing the deep focus that made Pixar's previous movies seem very computer-generated. Here the animation is better than ever, but also the extremely dynamic camera that goes impossible places and features amazing tracking shots, yet never feels separate from the action, like the digital camerawork in LotR or the Spider-Man films. The film's excellent cinematography (for once it feels like the palette of a Pixar film isn't all over the place, with more blues, grays, oranges, and dark reds, and almost no bright red or green) will probably be overlooked since it is an animated film.

What is so great about Ratatouille is that it, like Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, creates a struggle when we consider who the artist is: although we can certainly say that Brad Bird is all over this and his previous film, there is that Pixar "touch" that seems to carry through each movie as well (this is mostly a technical expertise, but also elements of the humor and story direction seem distinctly "Pixar"). Part of that has to do with their groupthink premise to storywriting, but these three films (their best) have all started with a screenplay written by a single person that was then developed further by their "story department." In the same way that The Incredibles seemed to be a movie-movie without annoying sidekick characters or life-lesson subplots (something even Finding Nemo was guilty of), Ratatouille's plot is straight forward with no tangents and an impressive focus on Remy, the center of the film. It's refreshing that this isn't a buddy-picture like so many other Pixar films, and there isn't even a huge cast of characters.

I think Ratatouille could be considered Brad Bird's apology for, or refining of, the themes of The Incredibles. His previous movie's objectivism seemed to depict people who are better than others and demand expression of their superiority; Ratatouille is concerned with a character who has skills and fights for equality. In my mind, Ratatouille helps clarify what he was attempting to express in The Incredibles.

The culture conflict that Remy's band of rats suffers at the hands of the humans seems, at times, distinctly political: consider when they are hiding in the old woman's house and she attempts to kill them with a shotgun. When they evacuate en masse with prepared escape routes, it seems to recall (and I say this with careful words) the relocation of a culture seen in many modern fascistic regimes like, for instance, the Jews leaving Anatevka in Fiddler on the Roof. When Remy's dad shows him the dead rats in the human window, he says "this is the way it always will be," while Remy fights for change. The conflict between human culture and rat culture is reminiscent of the conflict in The Battle of Algiers, where one group justifies violence against the humans (in the case of Ratatouille, the rats justify stealing) because they are oppressing them. Of course Ratatouille has a much happier ending.

I am glad that Brad Bird has taken up permanent placement at Pixar, and I hope they let him and Andrew Stanton continue making projects, be they personal or not, that have a singular voice. For the time being, I hope John Lasseter doesn't direct again: his films feel unfocused in comparison. Though his movies have started the Pixar tradition of viewing humanity through non-human eyes (and Remy's observations of humanity here are poignant), Stanton and Bird have proven that they can steer the ship that he built. Let's hope another director, either internal or from somewhere else, fills the gap.

[davebert]

A.O. Scott's got a very intense rave in the Times that finally matches my own feelings on the cause of its greatness.

For example:

[quote]Written and directed by Brad Bird and displaying the usual meticulousness associated with the Pixar brand, “Ratatouilleâ€

[Jeff]

Walter Chaw's review from Film Freak Central eloquently articulates what I believe to be the central theme of the film, and what Svevan touched on earlier.

Brad Bird's latest film Ratatouille is the auteur's affirmation that it's possible, no matter the station, to find genius among the rabble. It's charmingly egalitarian, this idea that any class or creed can produce the next Einstein or Baryshnikov, and it seems a direct response to the critics of his The Incredibles who would say that that superhero film's mantra of "if everyone is super, no one is" is an embodiment of intolerance and classism. Ratatouille's answer is a lot like the one offered by Bird's feature debut The Iron Giant: that not only is it possible to overcome one's basic programming, but also that choice supersedes predestination and, moreover, that a basic morality governs the actions of all things.

[exte]

I just saw this movie tonight. It was phenomenal! The last Pixar film I liked this much was Finding Nemo, and in terms of sheer entertainment, Toy Story 2. And to me, this was like a combination of both. The animation was so complex. These guys know what they're doing, and it's just so amazing to see them back at it. I don't know what to make of the trailer for their next effort, Wall-e, or whatever, but we'll see, because I really thought the advertising for this film sucked. It really undersold it, but maybe that's a good thing...

As a story, however, "Ratatouille" is fun without very much surprise. It's like a fusty old Disney cartoon retrofitted with the Pixar sheen. The lack of celebrity voices is a major drawback, since Remy ends up with very little personality. Contrast him with, say, the bad-boy Owen Wilson speedster in "Cars," and you're seeing the difference between a hero with spice and a bland one who happens to know where the spice rack is.

Never has a "B" grade review ever made me boil quite as much.

Cars was shit (compared to this film). The reviewer needs to be shot.

[Antoine Doinel]

Since Disney's acquisition of Pixar and the installation of John Lasseter and Ed Catmull as heads of Disney animation, morale at the Burbank studio has tumbled and some employees are privately hoping that the upcoming Pixar-produced Ratatouille flops, an unnamed Disney executive has told Disney watcher Jim Hill. On his website, Hill today (Monday) posted an email from the exec that says, "There are a lot of people here who are now actively hoping for a Pixar backlash. The transition has not been handled well, due mostly to the great care & attention that's being lavished on Pixar. Every attempt has been made to make sure that that animation studio's creative culture have been kept intact. Meanwhile, Disney Studio's own unique traditions & operating systems are being plowed under." Meanwhile, Disney has confirmed an earlier Jim Hill report that it will no longer produce straight-to-DVD sequels of its animated features. (IMDB)

I, for one, am sad that the people behind Cinderella III: A Twist in Time are not getting enough respect.

They are probably upset they won't get to do this anymore.

[portnoy]

They are probably upset they won't get to do this anymore.

or this

Which is not to denigrate Robin Hood or Disney in general. Warners and MGM also lifted movements directly from one piece to another, sometimes even within the same cartoon (the masterful Chuck Jones cartoon 'Feed the Kitty' reuses a bit of animation from about three minutes earlier, and it's not exactly 'for effect').

[Ives]

I found it delightful that Ian Holm's character in Big Night is so similar to the Skinner character in Ratatouille (voiced by Holm). In both cases we have the sell-out hack chef playing against the pure artistry of Primo and Remy. Don't know if it was a conscious reference, but I loved it.

[exte]

I actually thought he was modeled after Klaus Kinski!

[TedW]

A lot of filmmakers have tossed (and had tossed) their hat into the ring of trying to be their generation's Spielberg. Michael Bay, Brett Ratner, JJ Abrams, et al. Chris Columbus and Phil Joanou were, believe it or not, even considered protégés at one time. Only Brad Bird, to my mind, has demonstrated the level of filmmaking control, the sincere pop sensibility (I'm speaking of the early films, mind you), the consistency, and imagination of Spielberg. Too bad for him he works in animation, otherwise he's quite clearly the heir apparent. I don't have much of a taste for big studio/"pop" movies anymore -- the magic has long since been extruded. But I eagerly await whatever this guy does next.

[Steven H]

As a story, however, "Ratatouille" is fun without very much surprise. It's like a fusty old Disney cartoon retrofitted with the Pixar sheen. The lack of celebrity voices is a major drawback, since Remy ends up with very little personality. Contrast him with, say, the bad-boy Owen Wilson speedster in "Cars," and you're seeing the difference between a hero with spice and a bland one who happens to know where the spice rack is.

Never has a "B" grade review ever made me boil quite as much.

Cars was shit (compared to this film). The reviewer needs to be shot.

I believe Owen Glieberman has had the honor of being called a "bitch" by Bart Simpson. How many other bitchy film critics can say this?

[Antoine Doinel]

From IMDB:

Cartoon Produces New Wine Brand

In what amounts to a reverse product placement, a fictional wine depicted in the animated Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille is scheduled to go on sale at Costco stores in 18 states next week. The chardonnay, 2004 Ratatouille, was produced from grapes from the Chateau de Messey in the Burgundy region of France. Reporting on the deal, Bloomberg News commented, "This licensed bottling ushers in what may be a whole new trend for wine and the movies." The wire service observed that the 2004 movie Sideways is credited with doubling sales of California pinot noir.

[tryavna]

Cartoon Produces New Wine Brand

In what amounts to a reverse product placement, a fictional wine depicted in the animated Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille is scheduled to go on sale at Costco stores in 18 states next week.

Hmmm.... Instead of banning smoking in their films, Disney ought to follow suit and create a new line of Cruella de Vil cigarettes. That way, the kiddies will have something to do in between sips.

[Antoine Doinel]

Saw this this afternoon I enjoyed it quite a bit. While it didn't create a whole new world like Monsters Inc. or subvert an entire genre with glee like The Incredibles - and because of that I don't think it measures up to those films - it is still a fantastically enjoyable picture. For the first time in Pixar film, I found some of the middle portion of the film to sag a bit under the weight of predictability, between the spectacular opening and great conclusion. I think the film might've worked better without the "will" subplot (which is resolved rather suddenly), and without the Gustave's spectre acting as Remy's guide, but I'm getting carried away with what didn't work as opposed to so much more that did.

This is easily Pixar's most visually accomplished film to date. The entire sequence of Remy running through the Paris apartment and we see brief glimpses of the lives in each room was thrilling. The food looked good enough to eat - particularly our first look at Gustave's kitchen. And as for Anton Ego, he pretty much made the film for me. A great, interesting "villain" and the writers did a great job in writing how the clash between Ego (har har) and the chef would.

Certainly one of the stronger films of the year so far, and another fine notch in Pixar's ever expanding belt.

[Jeff]

From IMDB:

Cartoon Produces New Wine Brand

In what amounts to a reverse product placement, a fictional wine depicted in the animated Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille is scheduled to go on sale at Costco stores in 18 states next week. The chardonnay, 2004 Ratatouille, was produced from grapes from the Chateau de Messey in the Burgundy region of France. Reporting on the deal, Bloomberg News commented, "This licensed bottling ushers in what may be a whole new trend for wine and the movies." The wire service observed that the 2004 movie Sideways is credited with doubling sales of California pinot noir.

And now from IMDB:

Only days after announcing that it was getting into the wine business by distributing a French Chardonnay under the brand name Ratatouille, Disney said Friday that it has canceled the project. It attributed its decision to "a trickle of inquiries and complaints." The Los Angeles Times on Saturday said they came from California winemakers and opponents of underage drinking. Disney spokesman Gary Foster acknowledged that the California Wine Institute, which represents 950 California vintners, has been "relentless in trying to make this an issue." However, he observed, "the entire movie is based on a French restaurant and French food and wine." A spokesman for the institute insisted, however, that the label appeared to violate "the spirit" of the institute's code barring any advertising that might promote underage drinking. "We would have been just as upset if it were a California wine," Nancy Light, an institute spokeswoman, told the Times.

I did see an imported French cheese baring Ratatouille's image and the Pixar logo at Costco the other day though. I like that they are marketing the film to foodies as much as they are to children.

[malcolm1980]

My favorite film of the year so far. Bravo, Brad Bird and Pixar! (Hey, that rhymed!)

[rs98762001]

I can only add to the chorus of praise. Is there another American director who makes films as consistently wonderful as Brad Bird, or Pixar in general? If only most "adult" fare was as intelligently written, ingeniously structured, and populated with such funny and heartfelt characters. This might have been their best film to date.

[Michael]

Ratatouille gets my vote for the best film of 2007. Completely charmed by Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles but not even one of those films could prepare me for the knock-out beauty, intelligence and delicious irony of Ratatouille. The nice thing about it is that it being a children's film, an animated film, is NOT way too commercial (are there Ratatouille toys?) or begs to become the candidate for the theme of childrens birthday parties, like Cars or Nemo does. On the other hand, Ratatouille feels like a real film. A film perfectly on its own. A perfect film all the way.

I couldn't be a happier dad if my child says: "The Wizard of Oz, Spirited Away and Ratatouille are my favorite movies!"

[exte]

Ratatouille gets my vote for the best film of 2007. Completely charmed by Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles but not even one of those films could prepare me for the knock-out beauty, intelligence and delicious irony of Ratatouille. The nice thing about it is that it being a children's film, an animated film, is NOT way too commercial (are there Ratatouille toys?) or begs to become the candidate for the theme of childrens birthday parties, like Cars or Nemo does. On the other hand, Ratatouille feels like a real film. A film perfectly on its own. A perfect film all the way.

I couldn't be a happier dad if my child says: "The Wizard of Oz, Spirited Away and Ratatouille are my favorite movies!"

Are there!? Pixar isn't stupid, you know...

[Michael]

Well, not in my corner of the world. Christmas-shopped nearly everywhere - 4 different Targets, 2 Toy 'R Uses, etc - for more than ten nieces, nephews and cousins and I don't recall seeing anything Ratatouille except for the DVDs and games. No figurines, no stuffed rats, no Ratatouille-themed easy-bake ovens, no Remy pinatas, etc...unless everything ran out before Thanksgiving.

[Matt]

No figurines, no stuffed rats, no Ratatouille-themed easy-bake ovens, no Remy pinatas, etc...

Oh, they exist all right. Figurines, stuffed rats (that talk and dance to music), Sewer Splashdown playsets, pinatas, and remote control Remys.

[Michael]

Oh I feel silly now. And I want that remote control Remy!