The Rat Stuff
Jul. 2nd, 2007 09:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
puppetmakerCaroline, who loves all things Pixar, told her father that she would rather see surfing penguins than rats on Saturday and she would much rather go play on a play structure then see a movie. So her father and her sister took her to a playground and she ran around and exercised her little body for over 2 hours straight.
Yesterday morning, however, she picked up the stuffed Remy that we got her and informed us that she wanted to see "Ratatouille." This stuffed rat had been most ignored until this point. We packed her, her sister, and her stuffed rat into the car and went to see the film. She loved it and talked to me about the story afterwards. She had a couple of questions that she needed clarification on about what was going on. Most of them had to do with food preparation and how a restaurant works. She did follow the main plot of the film and sat through the whole movie which is a big thumbs up from her.
Peter and I were still talking about the film this morning. We both agree that it is a delightful film and we are glad that we went to see it. The voice casting was solid all the way around. Brad Bird wrote a story that was simple enough for the kids to follow but complex enough not to bore the adults. The visuals are stunning and I am amazed at how far that Pixar has come since some of their initial work that use to be shown with the International Festival of Animation (which is also how I discovered Plimptoons, Wallace and Gromit, and a host of other animators who works I love dearly.)
The short in front called "Lifted" and worth the price of admission alone. (As per usual, the comment section is allowed spoilers and discussion but I am avoiding them in the visible text.) It had both the adults and the kids laughing and the theater, which was full at 10:30 on a beautiful Sunday Morning, was quite loud with the sound of our guffaws. After wiping a tear or two from my eyes from laughing so hard, I settled in to watch "Ratatouille" and was not disappointed in the least.
It is nice to watch a film that makes you feel good for your hero even if he is a rat. Caroline became concerned each time that Remy was in danger and there are some intense scenes in the film where I had to assure Caroline that Remy was going to be OK. He was (of course he was. It's a Disney Film) and she was happy for him. She actually was more interested the rat family dynamics more than some of the human dynamics. It was a feel good film with some good messages about family and self that were very well handled. Both Peter and I loved what Brad Bird said about critics through his critic in the film and Peter O'Toole's voice was a bonus to those lines.
I would say that this movie needs to be seen once on a large screen. There are some shots of Paris that will be lost on a TV screen no matter how big it is. So if you want a movie that entertains and lifts your spirits, then "Ratatouille" is the film for you. If you want to watch stuff blow up then "Life Free or Die Hard" is more your cuppa. I will say that I was wanting a good French meal after this film with the really crispy bread and a number of courses with some fine wine.
I am grateful that Caroline suggested we go see this film.
Yesterday morning, however, she picked up the stuffed Remy that we got her and informed us that she wanted to see "Ratatouille." This stuffed rat had been most ignored until this point. We packed her, her sister, and her stuffed rat into the car and went to see the film. She loved it and talked to me about the story afterwards. She had a couple of questions that she needed clarification on about what was going on. Most of them had to do with food preparation and how a restaurant works. She did follow the main plot of the film and sat through the whole movie which is a big thumbs up from her.
Peter and I were still talking about the film this morning. We both agree that it is a delightful film and we are glad that we went to see it. The voice casting was solid all the way around. Brad Bird wrote a story that was simple enough for the kids to follow but complex enough not to bore the adults. The visuals are stunning and I am amazed at how far that Pixar has come since some of their initial work that use to be shown with the International Festival of Animation (which is also how I discovered Plimptoons, Wallace and Gromit, and a host of other animators who works I love dearly.)
The short in front called "Lifted" and worth the price of admission alone. (As per usual, the comment section is allowed spoilers and discussion but I am avoiding them in the visible text.) It had both the adults and the kids laughing and the theater, which was full at 10:30 on a beautiful Sunday Morning, was quite loud with the sound of our guffaws. After wiping a tear or two from my eyes from laughing so hard, I settled in to watch "Ratatouille" and was not disappointed in the least.
It is nice to watch a film that makes you feel good for your hero even if he is a rat. Caroline became concerned each time that Remy was in danger and there are some intense scenes in the film where I had to assure Caroline that Remy was going to be OK. He was (of course he was. It's a Disney Film) and she was happy for him. She actually was more interested the rat family dynamics more than some of the human dynamics. It was a feel good film with some good messages about family and self that were very well handled. Both Peter and I loved what Brad Bird said about critics through his critic in the film and Peter O'Toole's voice was a bonus to those lines.
I would say that this movie needs to be seen once on a large screen. There are some shots of Paris that will be lost on a TV screen no matter how big it is. So if you want a movie that entertains and lifts your spirits, then "Ratatouille" is the film for you. If you want to watch stuff blow up then "Life Free or Die Hard" is more your cuppa. I will say that I was wanting a good French meal after this film with the really crispy bread and a number of courses with some fine wine.
I am grateful that Caroline suggested we go see this film.
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no subject
Date: 2007-07-02 03:59 pm (UTC)Halfway through the movie, my friend leaned over and said, "That's Janeane Garofalo!" I said, "No! It couldn't be!" But he was right. Her voice was completely different! She actually has talent.
I totally gained a new appreciation for French cuisine after this. And I was hungry for ratatouille, which I've never had. It also made me want to watch an Audrey Hepburne movie.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-02 09:00 pm (UTC)Personally I can't stand eggplant so ratatouille is not my kind of dish but my mother makes a killer Coque au Vin and a beef bourguignon which is one of my favorite dishes of all times.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-02 07:26 pm (UTC)FWIW, Surf's Up was quite enjoyable, too - and my daughter and niece both had a great time when we saw it.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-02 08:55 pm (UTC)Just a warning that Remy does end up in some rather scary situations but you can assure her that he will be all right. There is one chase that had me not breathing for a bit.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-02 09:56 pm (UTC)I agree with everything--Peter O'Toole was a sparkly bonus that I wasn't expecting, but was moved to tears to hear in the voice of Emo. I absolutely loved watching this film for so many reasons, but I think I'm with Caroline on saying that the insight into a French 5-star kitchen was splendidly interesting. Remy was a great star in this film... I liked Colette, too. She was Rawr-super-strong chef-woman!
"Lifted"!!!! OMG, this was HILARIOUS. I laughed so very very hard, and so did everyone around me, heck the whole theater. It was great. The unlabeled switchy buttons were The Awesome. It was SOOOO unbelievably cute.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 10:17 am (UTC)