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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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- Robert said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 15:52 "Barf"? Come on now, who ever thought a cartoon could make you do that? "Ratatouille" is a fabulous movie for anyone who likes great movies.
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- mnmears said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 14:51 This is a great film about following your passions. I know some people have an aversion to rats, but jeez this isn't "Willard."
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- Michael said...
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Posted on Jun 28 2007 14:44
This review is totally off base. This is one of the most magical films I've seen in years, and as an aspiring cook myself, I found it quite inspirational. Judging by the roaring laughter and constant audience response, this film connected with everyone in the theater.
And not to be too picky, but Remy is a gourmet, not a gourmand. A gourmand is a gluttonous eater, one who eats for the sake of eating. Remy is truly a gourmet, he appreciates quality over quantity, a message this movie drives home. Don't Eat Garbage! - Report as inappropriate
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- Clay said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 14:02 I think the movie needs a disclaimer "If you hate rats and France don't see this movie."
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- Anna said...
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Posted on Jun 28 2007 13:41
"Even Pro-French!" God, what was Pixar thinking?!
I suppose a raccoon aspiring to a culinary career at your local McDonald's would appeal to you more. Keep in mind, this film is NOT actually advocating the incorporation of rats in haute cuisine.
The animation is superb, the voice acting and character development are excellent, and the humor is light and tasteful. If you can't see that because you are blinded by your hatred of rats and the French, I pity you. - Report as inappropriate
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- James said...
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Posted on Jun 28 2007 13:20
"One of the few in animation worth singling out."
You apparently know nothing about animation. Also, what the shit is wrong about "pro-French." They're not America's best friends but damn... open your mind a little. - Report as inappropriate
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- william said...
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Posted on Jun 28 2007 12:58
I have lived in NYC for 10yrs. I saw everything you spoke of in your review regarding rats and I have to say that I completely disagree with your fine intellectual assertion "Yuck. To be more specific, barf." Perhaps you were gnawed on as a small child by a pack of rats that infested yourcrib? I say this because this is the only reason i could see you having this reaction to the cute and anthropomorphic depiction of the rats in the film.
If you were attacked by rats as a child please consult you're shrink before seeing this movie. In fact I would bet the doc. would recommend that you see this film to help you over your issue. BUT..if you were not the victim of such an attach I would say SEE THIS FILM! - Report as inappropriate
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- Bob said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 12:51 "Ick Factor?" What a f'n pansy! His name is Joshua but by the sound of his review, he isn't much of a man. Do you jump on a chair when you see a mouse too?
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- James said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 12:45 How can you write that something is "admirably" high-toned when you are criticizing it for being high-toned. I hate it when writers try to wax poetic for the sake of it sounding interesting. The dramatic/comedic enjoyment of the film is in fact that conflict between "high-toned" cuisine AND A RAT! I get it. You live in Orlando and hate Disney.
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- Bill said...
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Posted on Jun 28 2007 12:39
To quote a charater from the film
"Oh, I'm detecting nuttiness" This critic. Apparently little Johny squeamish never saw the secret of Nihm, or a Micky Mouse feature or any other rodent do anything in a cartoon. I think I know who the snob is here. The movie is great, go see it. - Report as inappropriate
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- Jack said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 12:23 The "even pro-French!" comment says it all: another "freedom fries" zealot blinded by his narrow conservative views
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- chan said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 09:10 Joshua appears to have completely missed the point!
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- Steve said...
- Posted on Jun 28 2007 07:20 This Critic is a nut-job, the movie was great
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- Dan said...
- Posted on Jun 27 2007 07:29 I love these animated films!!
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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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