DISQUS

Louis Gray · 2 years ago

Webomatica, I actually saw this movie yesterday evening as well. It was enjoyable, but I didn't think it matched up to some of Pixar's previous work (Finding Nemo, Bug's Life, Incredibles, etc.). This is a movie to see once, but not more than once, for instance. The whole premise of puppeteering the chef seemed silly to me, and the geek meets girl storyline didn't have any kind of place or legs in the film. With that said, it was humorous, but not a classic.

webomatica · 2 years ago

Hmmm, that's interesting. What did you think of Cars? While I enjoyed it, I felt that was more obviously a film I only wanted to see once (I gave it three stars).

I've observed various reviews skewing one way or the other (the critics skew hugely positive, while actual, ordinary people reviews echo your sentiment). It seems to depend on if the reviewer considers computer animation (and animation in general) as appealing largely to children. This is the first Pixar film that I felt broke with the kids movie feeling, which I think is a big improvement.

I think Ratatouille fares even better when one moves away from Pixar movies in general, and I think about the rental-only suitable CGI titles that have been made recently (Happy Feet? Bees? Shrek III? David Schwimmer as a giraffe in that Zoo film?). I'd sooner watch Ratatouille (or any Pixar film) a second or possibly a third time. In that regard, I feel that all the Pixar films are classics, and they really only suffer in comparison to one another.

Louis Gray · 2 years ago

There's certainly a higher standard for Pixar films. Any Pixar film is better than any other studio's animated feature. I flat-out refuse to watch Shrek after seeing the first. Yech. Regarding Cars, that wasn't my favorite, I agree with you. I'd have to put Incredibles, Bug's Life, Finding Nemo and the Toy Story series above both Cars and Ratatouille...

webomatica · 2 years ago

Could it be that Pixar has set such a standard for itself with an amazing string of smash hits that even an above average film from them feels like a disappointment?

Heck - only Apple computer has set such high hopes with a reputation for quality in its hit products year after year. It almost makes me think the same guy is in charge... wait a second.

engtech @ internet duct tape · 2 years ago

Just got back from seeing it. Much agreement that this was way better than Cars, although I think I prefer the subject matter of Incredibles.

My only fault with it is in seeing the late show so I couldn't go out to eat some fine cuisine afterwards.

I really like how they tied the plot together.

Everett · 2 years ago

I LOVED it! Me and the wife went last night (no, we don't have kids) and for once I didn't feel that the animators were insulting our intelligence. It was a truly great piece of entertainment.

I was a little disappointed with the female Chef though. Her accent was supposed to be French, but sounded like a 1/3 Latino, 1/3 African America, and 1/3 rich white chick. Why couldn't they just hire a 'real' French person to do the voice instead of Janeane Garofalo ?

webomatica · 2 years ago

Yeah there are many French actors / actresses that I'm sure could have been tapped instead. I was actually suprised to see Garofalo's name in the credits.

Glad you liked the film, also. I think it will stand the test of time as do many of the Pixar films.

Michael Krotchie · 2 years ago

Went out with the wife and saw this movie last night and we both loved it! Being avid fans of the Food Network and lately Hell's Kitchen it was especially tickling watching the chaos of the kitchen scenes. I also enjoyed the level of detail in the movie and it was particularly evident to me during one of the opening scenes when Remy's brother pops out of the piece of cake (or whatever it was) and you could see the frosting on his whiskers and face.

Overall I would say it definitely played a bit more to the adult audience than other Pixar films. Several times I found myself chuckling at a joke and then chuckling again when I realized that because I was older than half the audience I was one of the 50% who laughed because I actually understood it.

I enjoyed the movie and it was a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon with the wife.

webomatica · 2 years ago

Heh, there was a moment in Ratatouille where a chef says "welcome to hell" to Linguini.

In terms of cooking I've been enjoying America's Test Kitchen and the magazine that goes along with it: Cook's Illustrated. Definitely not a great chef by any means but with a good recipie and patience, I do agree that "anyone can cook."

José Antonio Granados Wall · 2 years ago

To start this note, i'll like to say that i'm surprised by the movie "ambiente" or sensation it gives itself with "french" style picardy. And also I wish to say that is one (or probably the most incredible) movie that Pixar made.
Something that called my atention was the french music (beautiful) and the comedy too! Who thinks in this days to make a movie about a rat that likes to cook? in this actual-boring world, a film declares to be diferent by itself.
I really enjoyed it. Just have to do a last aditional comment: go and watch it!

webomatica · 2 years ago

Michael, yeah, I noticed the look of the cream on the rat whiskers - it really highlighted how much attention to detail was paid.

Jose, I wonder what pixar will do to top this one?

sang · 2 years ago

hey jase,

i really enjoyed this one as well.... i'm in l.a. now. got here 3 weeks ago... working on some hollywood shiets... hehe i wanna visit s.f. sometime though...

webomatica · 2 years ago

Sang what kinda stuff are you doing? Did you buy the Smashing Pumpkins album...

sang · 2 years ago

i just got contracted to work on a chipmunks movie (hint) so i'll be here til the end of the year.... i haven't gotten the pumpkins latest yet, but i know they're playing shows in s.f....

just moved into an apartment in culver city l.a. today. it's strange place here...

papa · 2 years ago

Hey Sang, you were always my favorite chipmunk. Congrats on the new gig, I hope you kick some butt!

I enjoyed Ratatouille too, but I don't think I'll be taking my 5 year old to see it. It's way too long and, frankly, I don't think she'd enjoy it very much.

I LOVED the short that played before the film, "Lifted". Sometimes I'd rather just see a string of 5-6 Pixar shorts over the feature length movie. But that's just me...

sang · 2 years ago

hey dave

yes, lifted was great! ratatouille was great too, crazy CG... pixar is scary! yeah ratatouille is for an older audience, i guess.

umm yeah we'll see how this gig goes. i may be talking a few octaves higher after working in hollywood, hmmm.....................

hope to visit you guys soon