From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille - Page 4

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

I just thought of another highlight/sequence.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)


Awesome animation. And hilarious.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Those people need to get a new job then. Disney hasn't been able to produce a good animated movie without Pixar for years so, Lasseter taking over is the best thing to happen to Disney Animation in a long time IMO.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

This shot, framed and autographed by both Brad Bird and John Lasseter, was my Father's Day gift this year. (My wife obviously scored it at a charity auction - am I lucky or what?)

Having seen the movie last night and loved it, that's now easily my favorite, coolest movie memorabilia.

I thought the strongest message in the movie is that the cliche' “anyone can cook” ends up being supplanted by the more accurate statement “not everyone can become a great artist but a great artist can come from anywhere.”

The only readily recognizable voice in the movie to me was Peter O'Toole as the food critic, Anton Ego. Although there are other "name" voice actors in the cast, maybe because of the French accents they used, I just didn't recognize them, which didn't really detract from the movie, but I did find interesting.

Like The Incredibles, Ratatouille is really about excelling in a democratic setting: Not everyone has equal talent or ability but there is no predicting, on the basis of class or nationality, where talent might arise.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Ok, i'll say it: I am sick to death with CGI cartoons! Bring back the lost art of hand animated 2D with hand ink and painted backgrounds!!

Dear Lord, it all looks the same now! How boring.

Just look at the beauty of Bambi, Snow White, Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, etc. Literally moving pieces of art.

Even the current use of computer ink and paint on 2D animated films looks flat and dimensionless in comparison to painted backgrounds by hand.

Yes, it takes more time, yes you can't crank them out like on a factory floor... but that's a good thing. Like the CGI SFX craze in movies, GGI animated movies has led to laziness in the writing and the "art-like" quality.

Get a QUALITY script and QUALITY hand animation and mix it up a bit.

Dan

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Did you actually see Ratatouille? I'll take a CG movie that's as good as Ratatouille any day over nearly any 2D animated movie from the last couple of decades.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Unlike with CGI animation, where you just press the magic "Render" button and a finished movie is created by the computer automatically?!

Oh Please. If I'm not mistaken, it takes Pixar approximately 4 years of hard work to "crank out a movie".

I find it very strange to find a comment like this in a Pixar movie thread. If there's one thing they're known for, it's their passion and obsession with quality in both the storytelling and the animation. Besides, laziness in the writing has nothing to do with CGI and everything to do with....lazy writing.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

The animation in Ratatouille was crisp and amazing, loved every frame of it. The story was also engaging and kept my attention, providing many laughs and a good moral to boot. It took me a little while to get into the character of Linguini (the garbageboy who can't cook), but Remy (the rat cook) was so adorably sympathetic and fun to watch. The pacing was well done for its running time, and doesn't overstay its welcome at all.

I give it 4 stars, or a grade of A. (in restaurant grading, it'd get 5 stars)

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

So . . . is this now the default discussion thread for the film? Just to be on the safe side, I'll post story details in spoilers for those people looking only for reviews.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this movie. I came in with high expectations, and I was not disappointed. At this point Brad Bird could make a movie about the phone book and I'd be one of the first people in line.

With this movie, Pixar has served notice to all the animation studios--no, scratch that, make it all film studios and filmmakers period--that they individually and collectively need to raise the level of their A-game. The previous pop-culturish, star-driven, sex-and-scatological humor-driven elements that seem to drive most animated (and children's) fare these days just don't satisfy, and they don't cut it anymore. It's all about a compelling story with interesting characters and universal themes that aren't dimmed much (if at all) by time.

Oh, and looking absolutely marvellous doesn't hurt either. See this in a DLP theater if you can. Your eyes will not stop thanking you.

Speaking of the story, my wife astutely pointed out that what would normally be the climax of a lesser animated film Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) turns out to be merely the midpoint of the movie. And just when you think it's ready to wrap everything up with a nice lovely red bow at the end, Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) with just a few sentences Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) the audience's expectations are completely shattered. All of which makes the ultimate ending so much more satisfying. The characters make their own happiness, not forced into the roles they're not cut out for/used to. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) And I think that is one of the themes of the movie: determining your own destiny in light of your current circumstances. One is not forced into mediocrity because the stars just don't align perfectly. Greatness is always achievable.

One of the most satisfying and (pardon the pun) delicious film experiences I've had in quite a while.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

I'm talking about the industry of CGI animation as a whole, not particularly or necessarily PIXAR, though Cars was not one of their stronger outings.

I have seen many trailers for Ratatouille and many stills, and while in and of itself it looks "cool" it still is lacking something.

Also, on the whole, they are producing CGI flicks from all over the place much faster than traditional, hand drawn animation.

I still state there is a "sameness" creeping into this computer animated world the studios have started. Much, much faster than old school animation.

I think well done films like Bambi, have an "atmosphere" that the drawings evoke more so than the brightly lit, florescent colored, plasticy computer world that many animators are sticking with. It works fine for a Toy Story because of the setting, but not for others.

Dan

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Like most Pixar films, Ratatouille settles in my memory quite warmly, each piece of it fitting together very well in hindsight. I can't wait to see it again and again and again. Pixar makes it nice when your kid wants to watch the same film over and over. I still get excited when he picks Cars or The Incredibles for the 20th time.

I have to assume Dan hasn't seen this film...the script is a brilliant piece of work. And artistically...Ratatouille is a landmark in animation. EDIT: Pixar isn't even competing with DW or Fox animation or anyone else. Cars is better than anything the other studios have done...and it's the least brilliant of the Pixar films. I consider Pixar an absolute treasure.

MikeRS, while I feel Brad Bird is a very special talent, I also believe Pixar adds an immense amount to the mix. Let's just say that it's two great tastes that taste exceptional together. I have heard that Bird will be directing a live action film about the 1906 earthquake. Whatever he does, I'll be there.

Pixar is still batting 1.000 as a studio.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

did anyone else catch any of the pixar "easter eggs" in the film? here are just a couple that i could have sworn i caught:

-the mime in the streets-was that bomb voyage from "the incredibles"?
-there's a quick shot of linquini's underwear, and i saw that they were red and it looked like they could have possibly had the incredibles logo all over them. was i just seeing things?

i know they usually hide upcoming characters (i.e. the nemo plush in boo's room, the mr. incredible doll in the dentist's office in "nemo"...)...could there be a "wall-e" cameo in there somewhere?

great movie, by the way. i just love finding all these geeky hidden "treasures," if you will...haha.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Dan, I understand what you mean, and I agree with you to some extent. I just think it's a bit unfair to post this complaint in a thread about a Pixar movie. That's all.

And the "sameness" you speak of is not the fault of computer animation, since you are truly free to create any look you can dream up (including cell shading).

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ratatouille/


Only a "negative" score in comparison to previous Brad Bird pictures

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/iron_giant/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/incredibles/

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Chuck,

There's no other animation studio I would want Brad Bird to collaborate with right now (And with Pixar controlling all of Disney, I'm sure Bird will get back to hand drawn animation pretty soon. ).

I'm just pointing out that as much as I admire Pixar (Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo being my favorites of their non-Brad Bird features), Brad Bird is a very unique talent. I have a very personal connection with his work - the same way I would have with any great live action filmmaker I admire.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

This made me laugh:


- Moriarty, aintitcoolnews.com

Some samples from rottentomatoes.com:

I could go on

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Exactly. There's tons and tons of bad CG animated movies but why complain about them in a thread about an actual good CG movie?

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Incredible movie, and the sad thing is that it will probably still make less than the dreck known as Shrek.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Boy do I agree with the above. I was very disappointed in Shrek 3, which I found to be just fluff with a mixed story and lacking in any real connection to the screen.

This film is so much better then that. As I said before: as of right now, this is easily in my Top 5 films of the year, and probably my favorite film of the year. I get the above criticism of CGI films.. but let me look at it this way:

In the early 80s, Disney was at a relatively low point when Don Bluth left. And when "Secret of NIMH" appeared, it made me stand up and look at animation again. And there were several good moments (American Tail) and low points. But there were also a rise of people who were bad imitators of both.

Pixar came out and changed the industry. And, lots of people copied. Several with moderate success. But Pixar in this film does something most don't: a fantastic, incredible story with good graphics.

So, while I get the criticism above, and I'd nod in agreement at the rise of schlocky bad CGI films (Surf's Up, anyone?) when you see a real masterpiece you realize you'd watch it despite the format.

If Pixar came out tomorrow and said they were going to do stop-action with pipecleaners, I'd probably show up because their creative track record is that good.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Ratatouille - 9 of 10

Ratatouille is a superb film, but not a perfect film. It's excellent, marvelous piece of filmmaking with only the tinniest edge of tonal inconsistency. But it is a wonderful film about food and artistry and the American principle of living your dream no matter what odds are against you.

That said there are some aspects of the film that didn't quite work
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Overall the film was full of tremendously entertaining sequences, I felt the script was occasionally a bit chatty and once or twice just sort of awkwardly trite, but all in all it was very nearly a perfect film.

Adam

*Being an obsessive foody, I'd have preferred them to not americanize things to FIVE stars, because THREE stars would make much more sense (and I wonder if they changed it to be 'correct' for international versions, I would hope they did), but then I am anxiously awaiting the LA Michelin to see how Campanile, Cafe Pinot and Mozza score, and I doubt many filmgoers care much about Michelin. I also thought the kitchen was frightfully empty of people for a restaurant, it was as though they only had six tables rather than the (easily) thirty plus implied by the shots of the restaurant dining area.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Was the Pizza Planet truck featured? I'm not sure if it was in Brad Bird's previous The Incredibles or even Cars (which would be surrpising!). Maybe they dropped that Easter Egg?

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

A very nicely done film. The natural look of this film is probably the closest Pixar has come yet to creating the look of a classic 2D Disney animated feature. I have enjoyed watching quite a few CG animated films, including all of Pixar's output; however, I have always been aware of a certain plastic feel in the looks and movement of the characters. Not so in this film. This film for the most part looked very natural and organic. Human characters moved very naturally, with very little of the Gumby action that I have seen in previous films. Every Pixar film has moved the bar for technical achievement in CG animated films higher: this one is no exception.

Storywise this film is Pixar's most adult film to date; although, I'm sure plenty will disagree with me. Bird really is a rare talent in American animation; he is a director who actually thinks animation can be used to tell intelligent, non-insulting, stories. It is hard to believe that he co-wrote the awful film “Batteries Not Included”.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Hey I loved that movie.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Whoops, double posted. Deleted.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Well, I'm sure you know that old saw about garbage and treasure, so there is no need for me to repeat it. For me, it was awful because it just didn't work for me. For you it did the opposite. Obviously, you saw something in it that I missed. Anyway, a lot of movies I like would be considered to be awful. Take "Surfs Up", for example. I kind of liked that film for its weird juxtaposition of funny animals, video biography, and standard surfer movie; however, someone in this thread (possibly more than one) basically thought it was poorly animated schlock. I actually thought it was a better surfer movie than some of the live ones I have seen.

Anyway, I just wanted to explain where I was coming from when I said BNI* was awful. I don't want anyone to think I'm making an observation about anyones taste in movies.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

I think it has to do with the fact I first saw it when I was 8. Although I did just see it on Universal HD a couple months back. Guess it brought back good memories since I liked it then too. Ok so I have no excuse.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

We saw this wonderful film last night. Some have commented that Ratatouille is "second-tier" Pixar and I must disagree. This is another Pixar masterpiece! It's peers are The Incredibles and Toy Story 2, rather than A Bug's Life.

With a beautiful, poignant message, top notch story and voicework, and a new high watermark in animation, Ratatouille is the best film of 2007 for me so far!

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Anybody out there see it with kids? How did they respond to it? I sat there thinking that Pixar had made a movie for adults, but since most adults think animation is for kids, they won't go see it. Their loss -- it's very good.

Did anyone notice that thing in the end credits about how "no motion capture" was used in the making of this film?

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

Yeah. My buddy brought his nephew who was maybe 4 or 5 and he didn't seem to care for it. I can't blame him because, like you, I didn't think the movie was really aimed at him.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

I took my 6 / 7 year olds. They loved it.

Re: From Pixar in 2007: Ratatouille

I completely and totally agree. The Pixar crew deserves to have care and attention lavished upon them. 12 years of absolute excellence. From Toy Story all the way up to Ratatouille, nothing but charming, heartwarming, unforgetable cinematic experiences. Has one group of creative talents ever been on a roll like that? I'd really like to know.

Meanwhile the rest of the Disney animation crew is whining because Lasseter is plowing under their "unique traditions & operating systems"?!? It's not like these people are responsible for Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. They've been responsible for crud like Brother Bear. It's about time someone plowed under their "unique traditions and operating systems".

As for Ratatouille itself.... It's all been said in here already. The film was brilliant. Charming and unforgetable.