Ratatouille - Brad Bird is a genius no doubt

The Denouncer

96% on Rotten Tomatoes
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ratatouille

From IMDB:
Remember how everyone was talking about Toy Story when it first came out? The incredible visuals, unique style, vividly imagined world? The next time people were talking that way with such enthusiasm about a computer animated movie was Finding Nemo. I'm excited to say that Ratatouille will be the next one to redefine the visual creativity and technical detail of computer animated movies. Honest to goodness, I was awestruck by the animation, and that never happens to me. It is a visual masterpiece of a movie if ever the term applies.

The next thing to talk about is the "genre" of the movie. As Pixar enthusiasts will tell you, Brad Bird, the director of Ratatouille, also directed The Incredibles, which has the most inspired and creative action sequences from any of the Pixar movies. Ratatouille, while not so straightforward with its action, has almost as much as The Incredibles did, in unique ways. Most memorable is the shotgun scene near the beginning. (You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it). Other than that, this is the expected comedy-with-heart movie from Pixar that so many have grown to love.

The voice acting? Spot on. Every voice is distinctive, and it never feels like a celebrity's voice tacked on to a character (Shrek, I'm looking at you), it feels like the characters themselves speaking. You can't ask for more from voice acting.

And finally, the script and the story. The entire irony of the story -- a street rat with a passion for fine food -- is beautiful, and a tight, smart, wonderful script flows from this. The pacing of the story is odd and choppy at places, but this is a very forgivable grievance. The only other minor fault is that a few of the dramatic one-liners feel a bit forced. Other than that, this is the most layered, complex, and satisfying script from Pixar since The Incredibles.

Overall, I recommend that everyone see this movie when it hits theaters (I was lucky enough to see a pre-release screening). Though not perfect, it is an animated masterpiece in true Pixar form with breathtaking animation and visual design.

10/10

Petey2006

Really looking forward to this film. I've been preaching Brad Bird's talent ever since I went to see the criminally underrated Iron Giant. Warner Brothers shot themselves in the foot by not promoting the hell out of that film.

The Denouncer

The Iron Giant and The Incredibles are amazing movies, and its a pity more people haven't seen The Iron Giant - its just fantastic.

stevejazzx

The Iron Giant is excellent. It's my sons favorite movie and he's only 4, but it's also one of my favortie movies and I'm not 4! The movie is full of things you'd never see in other cartoons, realistic characters, anti establishment themes etc. So his movies have this huge broadranging appeal...very few people can manage that and still tell a good story.
Can't wait for Ratatouile...

Ibjiba

I'm looking forward to this one as well. Are there any short features before the movie like with the Incredibles?

AJ2012

Really looking forward to seeing this also. It seems to be getting rave reviews in the States. Does anyone know the release date for Ireland?

Mitch Connor

96% eh....96% of WHAT!? I freaking hate percentage ratings for movies, games, books - anything subjuective.

Tauren

Tauren wrote:

96% eh....96% of WHAT!? I freaking hate percentage ratings for movies, games, books - anything subjuective.

It's the average rating from all the collected reviews. 96% is a pretty amazing score for any film.

I picked up the special edition of the Iron Giant in Tesco this evening. Looking forward to watching it again, no doubt with tears in my eyes as the credits roll.

Mitch Connor

Deleted User wrote:

It's the average rating from all the collected reviews. 96% is a pretty amazing score for any film.

I picked up the special edition of the Iron Giant in Tesco this evening. Looking forward to watching it again, no doubt with tears in my eyes as the credits roll.

i ordered that the other day, for something like 4.99 (special edition too) from Blah DVD.

Antigone05

I've seen the film and it has to be the best since Toy Story 2.
great story and animation. he get hooked into the film from the 1st second.

oh and yeah there is a new short before the film..cant remember what its called and im not going to give anything away..its really great though..very funny. about 5 minutes at most.

Ruu_Old

Not much of a fan of those Pixar type films but enjoyed it (live in the US), definitely worth a watch. It is a good story.

MisterAnarchy

AJ2012 wrote:

Does anyone know the release date for Ireland?

October I believe.

DeepBlue

Ever since Toy Story 2 the Pixar films have been missing some of the magic of the earlier films. Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles have all fallen short of the standard set by Toy Story 2. Cars got such poor reviews that I haven't even seen it.

Ratatoullie is a blazing return to form which, quite probably, surpasses all the earlier films. The animation is dazzling and yet manages to not distract from the story. The action and chase sequences match the energy and invention of top class thrillers.

In itself it's amazing that the plot of a rat that wants to be a chef should be such a winning one because, on paper, it doesn't look promising but the Pixar team have done it again and created a movie that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages. 10/10.

Driver 8

Wonderful film, though I'd argue that Finding Nemo is at least as good as the first Toy Story. That said, Ratatouille is a joy to watch.

Driver 8

Btw, here's my pitch for Toy Story 3

Have everyone be 40 years older and have paul newman as woody and robert redford as buzz

KdjaCL

Went to it today and wasnt mad about it looked great.

Ego had a nice typewriter


kdjac

Ordered the R1 DVD a few nights back, but I can still see myself going to see it in the cinema. For some reason the thought of a culinary obsessed Rat is something I find delightful to behold.

unreggd

I saw it a couple o months ago, its amazin!

I usually dont go near these animated films, theres way too many!

But this one is class, go see it!!!

johnny_ultimate

Just back from this and thought it was another absolutely terrific Pixar number. I don't know how they do it, but they just successfully manage to inject your typical children's movie with lashings of humour, heart and energy. The story you've seen it before many times, but it's just handled so perfectly. The cinematography is amazing, and the effects are really stunning (especially the rain soaked Parisian Streets).

Brad Bird is certainly shaping up to be a massive talent. Pixar are the American Ghibli without a doubt - they have once again done American animation proud, after we have had to put up with the drivel or at best slightly above average works Dreamworks and co. produce quite regularly (although Monster House was superb). But yeah - watch it, and see why Pixar are almost certainly the most talented bunch of individuals working in the Hollywood system today.

Running Bing

I am going to see this and I am looking forward to it but my god to people overhype these films!


OK they look pretty and they are funny but when you hear the words "genius" and "masterpiece" being rolled out:rolleyes:

This is rated as the 79th greatest film of all time on IMDB. It has to be one of the highest rated on rotten tomatoes.

Like I said I cant say too much about it yet because I have not seen it. I am sure I will enjoy it but am I the only one who finds there is a whole culture now of "it is cool to like kids things", it seems as if it has become trendy to show how "intellectual" you are by liking these films. Harry Potter, Shrek, the Incredibles, Monsters Inc. etc. Decent, entertaining yes, but masterpieces? will we really remember these films in 50 years time



Oh and why dont people draw cartoons any more?

johnny_ultimate

Babybing wrote: »

I am going to see this and I am looking forward to it but my god to people overhype these films!

OK they look pretty and they are funny but when you hear the words "genius" and "masterpiece" being rolled out:rolleyes:

This is rated as the 79th greatest film of all time on IMDB. It has to be one of the highest rated on rotten tomatoes.

Like I said I cant say too much about it yet because I have not seen it. I am sure I will enjoy it but am I the only one who finds there is a whole culture now of "it is cool to like kids things", it seems as if it has become trendy to show how "intellectual" you are by liking these films. Harry Potter, Shrek, the Incredibles, Monsters Inc. etc. Decent, entertaining yes, but masterpieces? will we really remember these films in 50 years time

Oh and why dont people draw cartoons any more?

You have to take this kind of thing as it is. Of course Ratatouille isn't up there with your Kurosawas, but as far as entertainment goes it's top of the range. It's up there with the Goonies, Toy Story, My Neighbour Totoro - childhood films which are just wonderfully exciting, uplifting adventures for adults and kids alike. You can't completely disregard this kind of film in favour of the more 'arty, intellectual' films out there - I think my film watching habits have been shaped favourably by watching these kinds of 'kids things' as you put it. I in fact think it's rather unfortunate that some people aren't able to go into these kinds of innocent films with an open, innocent mind. If you do you'll love it.

And people do draw cartoons these days. It's called animé

CrazyTalk

'And people do draw cartoons these days. It's called animé'


They also call that Disney http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_and_the_Frog

¬_¬

Driver 8

The fact that you'd lump Shrek in with Pixars films shows you don't really know these films in depth.

Shrek is like any Hollywood comedy, but animated. Minimal story, and filled with pop culture jokes that'll be outdated in a few years. Pixars films always put storytelling first, like any good film. It's not trying to be "intellectual", it's recognising good storytelling, sharp scripts and memorable characters.

It'd be more "intellectual" to be a film snob and dismiss them as kids stuff.

KdjaCL

so noone copped the typewriter ?



kdjac

Driver 8

No, but i generally don't catch all the in jokes first time round. What was the deal with the typewriter?

KdjaCL

Driver 8 wrote: »

No, but i generally don't catch all the in jokes first time round. What was the deal with the typewriter?

Not a joke 1st time you see its from behind it looks like somethings face, something iron



kdjac

Driver 8

Nice. Luinguini's underwear had an incredibles logo on it too

Art_Wolf

Excellent film! Went to it with my sister and I really enjoyed it

jobonar

Very good film. Very enjoyable and really well done.

Wacker

I went to see it on Friday as soon as I finished work, and went again on Saturday in the early afternoon. This wasn't obsessive behaviour or anything; I had already made an arrangement for Saturday, but I thought it might fall through, so I went first on Friday.

I have read quite a few reviews saying that this is Pixar's masterpiece. That is quite a claim, considering how brilliant some of the Pixar films are. Do I believe that this is Pixar's materpiece? No, but it comes close.

Basically, the idea wasn't a great one, but the execution was perfect. The contrast between Pixar and Dreamworks is apparent there; can you imagine a Dreamworks animation film set in France that doesn't have any negative stereotyping of the French for cheap laughs? Or, a whole movie about food that doesn't feature a fart gag? Neither can I.

Anton Ego, the scary restaurant critic voiced by Peter O'Toole, is now may all time favourite animated character. His piece of criticism at the end of the film was genuinely moving, and I'm hardly up to date on restaurant reviews.

Regarding the OP, yes, I wholeheartedly agree that Brad Bird is a genius. His previous Pixar movie (the Incredibles) is my favourite animated movie and one of my all time favourites of any genre. He took over this project after someone else started it, so he can't be blamed for the subject matter being a little weak. He can happily reap all the credit for making a film about a rat chef about as good as one would imagine possible.

hshortt

What about the shape of Egos' office?