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Ratatouille (2007)
Director: Brad Bird
Synopsis
There's a rat in the kitchen in this Disney film.
Movie review
From Time Out New York
Yuck. To be more specific, barf. That reaction is, one suspects, just what the hundreds of genius animators over at Pixar have secretly feared regarding Ratatouille, their highly polished latest. In it, a pink-tailed gourmand (Oswalt, channeling Sideways’ Paul Giamatti) dreams of leaving the gutter behind and preparing meals in a fancy Paris restaurant. He gets his wish, bringing along swarms of furry friends who emerge from the steam washer ready to handle cheese, spices and vegetables. Pardon me if I don’t find that so appealing. New Yorkers probably remember the viral version of this movie, filmed outside a West Village KFC last February. Cute wasn’t the word that came to mind.Those of a more metaphorical bent will insist that Ratatouille is a discrimination tale—and it is, provided you forget that there are good reasons to discriminate against rats in the forum of food preparation. Director Brad Bird (one of the few in animation worth singling out) pursued a similar strain in The Incredibles, also about the persecution of excellence. But he’s done a much more muddled job this time, pitting admirably high-toned—even pro-French!—ideas about cooking and food criticism against the sheer ick factor. Ratatouille is a film made for snobs that may still repel them.
Author: Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out New York
User reviews of this film
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- editor and sane said...
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Posted on Jul 01 2007 18:33
Wow. As an editor and professor I am floored by how badly this review is written. Where is the content? analysis? description? it is horrible and only shows an incredibly closed mind and a lazy publication editor that
took this whiff of nothing to print. sad. - Report as inappropriate
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- Mark F said...
- Posted on Jul 01 2007 03:46 Let me see... the reviewer dislikes this movie because they don't like rats or the French. They also start their review with "Yuck. To be more specific, Barf. Perhaps they should review their position as what makes a reviewer, or with that sort of beginning, I'm sure the teenagers on Livejournal need a new friend.
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- Brad said...
- Posted on Jul 01 2007 01:52 The critic needs to get a grip and realize that this is a cartoon. A fantastic cartoon that the likes of only comes by once every ten years or so, I'd say. And yuck to that "pro-french" callout in the review. What a bigot.
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- Stephe said...
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Posted on Jun 30 2007 23:23
Wow. Really weak review. And what's with the 'Pro-French' nonsense?
I took my daughter, who is two, and she enjoyed it. Paid attention, stayed awake and not once got creeped out by the rats (which I feared she might). The voice acting was terrific, the animation was out of this world - hair looked like hair, food looked like food, and Paris looked amazing.
Easily, one of Pixar's best. - Report as inappropriate
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- Brandon said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 15:24 It really appalls me when the only reason critics go against a film is because they want to be against the majority. This review is unspecific, vague, and throws big words around in an attempt to impress, but it's all pathetically transparent. Ratatouille, as every single comment has agreed on, is the best animated film in a long while, possibly Pixar's best ever. A delicious feast in every single way, it's a shame this reviewer's ego and prejudices had to get in the way of him enjoying what a banquet this movie is.
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- j-man said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 12:59 its the best and james is a dumb ass
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- James D said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 03:31 wow, as a critic shouldn't you leave childhood trauma and racist convictions behind before you enter the theater
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- Teni said...
- Posted on Jun 29 2007 12:15 Did Joshua even SEE the movie? I've seen all the Pixar feature-length releases and this has got to be one of their best. Brad Bird is a master storyteller, and it was such an immersive experience that I found myself sitting in the theater with tears streaming down my face from the sheer joy of how remarkable the movie was.
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- Jerry Hunt said...
- Posted on Jun 29 2007 02:01 Have you ever attended an animation festival? There are many brilliant people making animated films, especially shorts. Your ignorance is stunning.
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- Jules said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 23:50 Ick factor? Ha. Your view of rats is completely irrelevant to this film. Remeberm we're reviewing Ratatouille here, not rats. Not to mention irrational - as if you'd let something a small as a fear of rats ruin this move for you.
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- Sue said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 21:17 Oh, brother. YOU are the snob. There is nothing yucky or icky about this delightful film, and I think it is too bad that you completely missed the point here. As an animated film it is a visual feast for the eyes, and it has a ton of heart, great comedy and a zest for life as well. Best of all are the quirky, individualized characters (perfectly captured by talented animators and brilliant voice actors). I highly recommend this film.
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- Kathy M said...
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Posted on Jun 28 2007 19:42
Joshua Rothkopf= Anton Ego!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This film is a tasty treat! Enjoy - Report as inappropriate
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- Adam said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 16:59 How is this man a movie critic? He sounds more like a redneck whitetrash criminal that lives in a trailer with his mom. Come to think of it, has anyone checked that?
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- Donatello said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 16:44 I'm tired of overly formulaic animated films stuffed with pop culture references to make up for their lack of substance. This film has an actual story, likable characters and doesn't pander to low brow sensibilities. That's a good thing. If it wasn't for Pixar we'd be sitting through Shrek 7 by now.
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- Tom said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 16:21 Hey, Joshua --- Maybe you ought to actually SEE the movie you're writing a review about so you don't sound like such a complete fool. So the premise reminded you of rodent infestation in your local KFC--- and that's the sum total of your revew? Nice work. Don't stress yourself too much next time. I'm sure you'll enjoy all the cool explosions and car wrecks in Die Hard... much more your speed.
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Cast & crew
Director: Brad Bird
Producer: Brad Lewis
Genre(s): Children's, Comedy
Rated: G
Duration: 111 mins
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