Freeper Review: “Incredible” Values Shine Through In Pixar’s “Ratatouille”

June 29, 2007 | L.N. Smithee

[paudio]

I agree with you about the the soft bigotry of low expectations. In fact, I thought the rats refer to the Black community who always said, ‘we are diffeent from them’...

[Varda]

I was disappointed in this movie. IMO it’s the weakest Pixar so far. The middle part exchanges slapstick for plot (boring) and then we get a major plot device, illegitimacy. I did enjoy the end but it was too little too late.

[L.N. Smithee]

The middle part exchanges slapstick for plot (boring)

Oh, my heavens, slapstick in an animated comedy?! You didn't walk into the theater it thinking it was a Merchant-Ivory film, did you?

and then we get a major plot device, illegitimacy.

IMHO, that's a very strange way to look at it unless you're trying to pick it apart.

[L.N. Smithee]

I agree with you about the the soft bigotry of low expectations. In fact, I thought the rats refer to the Black community who always said, ‘we are [different] from them’...

As a black man, I had that same reaction when Remy's father took him to look up at the exterminator's window display. So many black "leaders" reference historical pen-and-ink illustrations and black-and-white photographs of lynchings.

[Varda]

Pixars haven’t previously indulged in a great deal of slapstick. I’m not a slapstick fan. It has it’s place and is better in measured doses. The opening cartoon was slapstick too. The middle slapstick scenes lasted too long. The kids in the theater liked it for awhile but even they turned quiet eventually.
I was surprised by the illegitimacy angle. Especially in the context of a protagonists mother. The movie description of her was that she professed belief in heaven, was publicly known as the Chefs lover and was keeping knowledge of the father and son from each other. If you think that’s being picky then I’m picky. I found it odd and disturbing in the presence of so many pre-schoolers in the audience.

[L.N. Smithee]

The middle slapstick scenes lasted too long. The kids in the theater liked it for awhile but even they turned quiet eventually...

I was surprised by the illegitimacy angle. Especially in the context of a protagonists mother. The movie description of her was that she professed belief in heaven, was publicly known as the Chefs lover and was keeping knowledge of the father and son from each other. If you think that’s being picky then I’m picky. I found it odd and disturbing in the presence of so many pre-schoolers in the audience.

Hold on -- are you still talking about the pre-schoolers who were bored by the slapstick? They're going to pick up on Linguini being 'illegitimate'? And let's be honest, shall we? How many of the kids in the theater do you think shared that distinction?

In case you haven't noticed, we now live in a different age. If you were somehow hoping that Ratatouille would be something like a VeggieTales movie with Sunday School themes because it's rated "G," sorry! You were wrong.

If Linguini and Colette's relationship was implied to have rapidly progressed beyond a kiss and a scooter ride, that would have been worrisome. But the only times we saw either of them in bed, each was alone.

[AnnaZ]

Just got back from seeing it... with three other adults, and a total of ten children.

I loved it, found it absolutely splendid -- inspiring and entertaining.

We saw it after waiting in a long line at the hipper-than-thou Alamo Drafthouse Theater, which also had a line, albeit muchmuch shorter, for Sicko. When we exited, there was another huge line for the next showing of Ratatoiulle... and only a handful of children were in it. Very interesting.

(On a side note: there was a guy in the front of the lobby with a basket of pet rats. The kids were fighting to hold them, and even I couldn't resist picking one up and playing with it. Very sweet little animal. Maybe it was the pint of Stella Artois I had, or maybe the flick succeeded in making the normally offensive absolutely irresistible.)

= )

[Everydayiwritethebook]

I saw it last week...in French! Terrific movie and the French audience APPLAUDED when it was over!!!

As for the cleanliness issue, I think Bird DID address it by making sure that Rémy washed his paws before cooking and hilariously washing his whole clan in the industrial dishwasher before he sets them to work in the kitchen. LOL

Vive Rémy!

[L.N. Smithee]

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE!

Congratulations, Pixar!
Congratulations, Brad Bird, on your second Best Animated Feature win!