Ratatouille [2007] film only (Ratatouille (DVD))

Name: nevikrose

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Ratatouille (DVD)
Date:	28.02.08 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exceptionally well designed, funny and excellent script, some wonderful actors

Disadvantages: seemed to drag a tiny bit towards the climax, although ultimately has a very satisfying ending

I have a bit of a weak spot for children's animation; usually this tends to leans towards Japanese Anime, but I have to say that I have enjoyed everything that Pixar have made in their collaboration with Disney.

When I saw the trailers for Ratatouille I got all excited, I knew I had to see it (unlike cars which I had no pressing desire to see, but still enjoyed when I got round to it)
You see I have a major passion for cooking, and I have a bit of a soft spot for rats, having kept pet rats for many years.

The first thing that strikes me about the film is the rich and beautiful backdrops. Pixar have been very clever in their design method in this film, as it is set in France, which you may remember was the setting for many of the old original Disney films (e.g. Aristocats) These old Disney interpretations of Paris were iconic and stylized, highlighting Parisian elegance and creating a very specific atmosphere. Usually in these films there was a tumbledown country shack on the outskirts of Paris, which provided the backdrop for a separate part of the story. What the designers did when they made Ratatouille is took that iconic view of France, both the tumbledown rural shack and the elegance of Paris and treated it with the Pixar magic. Suddenly those wrought iron gates and glistening streets were made real by the talented 3d artists at the Pixar studios, they have managed this without losing the beautiful stylization that belongs to Pixar, not Disney, it is a beautiful amalgamation.

The story concerns a young rat named Remy, he is unsatisfied with his life as a scavenger and a thief and wants to experience more of life. When he discovers the delights of taste in the kitchen of the house his clan have infested, he knows he's on to something big. When he catches clips of the famous chef Gusteau talking on the TV he is inspired by the chef's words. "Anyone can cook"
When circumstances split Remy from his clan he finds himself in Paris, at the mercy of a clumsy garbage boy in the kitchens of Gusteau's own restaurant!

The voice acting for Ratatouille is superb, some amazing actors were recruited for the cause, along with Peter O'Toole as the sinister and vicious food critic, Ian Holm as the wired and stressed head chef Skinner, Brian Dennehy as Remy's gruff father and the return as always of John Ratzenburger as the dim waiter. Also making an appearance as Chef Gusteau is the ever watchable Brad Garrett, (the older brother in Everybody loves Raymond) who's voice I did not immediately pick up, which is odd as usually it is so distinctive, but hiding behind a completely different animated appearance and disguised behind a French accent who was to know!

I felt it was perhaps a little long, but the film did start off at a fair pace, and the premise for it was set up very quickly, there are a number of good twists in the tale, and the right number of 'Ahhhhhh' moments. What I found satisfying was the sheer number of laughs. I usually expect humour from a Pixar film but Ratatouille has outdone itself, the script is exceptional, and many of the non-scripted gags were equally as funny.

I would thoroughly recommend this as one for the collection; it has an unexpected ending and is touching as well as funny, as far as I am concerned it hits all the right buttons. Just as it should.


Just a note on the DVD, I wont review all of the features here, since I wanted to concentrate on the film itself, but you should definately not miss the animated short 'lifted' that comes with the film, as always, Pixar's animated short had me gasping for breath from laughing so much. wonderful.

Summary: One of my favourite films of 2007