Ratatouille

[furtech]

I saw Ratatouille and (without giving anything away) I think it's a candidate for best Pixar movie so far! Absolutely charming!


There are two things that make this movie so great: first, the main character (Remy) is the best animal-in-human-world I've ever seen. He is anthropomorphic in thought, but 100% rat in body language. Whoever developed the character and animated him did more than watch a rat in a cage for a few weeks: there we so many subtle and dead-on rat-isms that I have to believe that someone involved at that level had pet rats (and loved them). The difference is the same as if you studied a cat for a few weeks (you'd get a number of mannerism, pretty accurate) and owning one (where you know ALL the crazy, quirky things that cats do for no reason and on no schedule).

The second marvelous thing about Ratatouille is that the story-- while typically Pixar/family-- has the usual story structure: unusual premise--bumps in road--happy ending. But what makes this film special is that the route the storytellers take to get to that resolution is neither what you expect nor is their story any less wonderful because they chose the more difficult road.

I attribute this to the creative atmosphere that has been created by Jobs and Lasseter: an organization gets its personality from the top down. If the heads think nothing of their employees, the employees take no pride in their work. If egos at the top never want to hear a negative thought or criticism, workers hesitate to point out flaws and eventually give up trying to make things better. The attitude at the top is reflected by the workers all the way down, and is eventually reflected in the final product. That is why companies like Apple come up with something totally innovative like the iPhone and why each of their products (especially under Jobs) is not just an improvement on existing products-- but is a quantum LEAP to wholly new devices. Apple has a very nurturing atmosphere for creative thinking and encourages new ideas. Over time, the really talented people migrate towards companies like these and this concentration of talent results in wonderous products.



I'm jazzed: I think I'm going to do my rat costume. I have some ideas I've been wanting to try and this film was just inspiring. *skeek*!

Comments

[xodiac.livejournal.com]

He is anthropomorphic in thought, but 100% rat in body language. Whoever developed the character and animated him did more than watch a rat in a cage for a few weeks: there we so many subtle and dead-on rat-isms that I have to believe that someone involved at that level had pet rats (and loved them).

I read that the animators had rats in the studio for the entire development process so they can study them closely, get the nose twitches and manner of running and other ratty mannerisms exactly right.

[diadexxus.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is a GREAT movie. I had three rats growing up and yeah they got hte subtle hints there, didn't they?

About a Rat Costume: it *IS* year of the rat next year... and well its "Fur East" for the theme at FC next year too.. I think we should get together for some pics with your rat suit and Riptooth (who I HOPE will have Asian Armor for the con)

Goodluck!
-J

[pikacello.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the movie too!

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

Agreed wholeheartedly. Easily the best Pixar's come up with - not just good, but excellent. I wound up with that rare glow of having just watched something wonderful. (Of course, I'm positively inclined towards the joy of good food, so that angle didn't need to sell itself to me at all. They managed to convey that too, so eloquently)

Here's hoping you do embark on a rat project! Maybe it'll surpass Oshin as my favorite of yours. ^_^

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Definitely on my list ta see 8>

[karisu-sama.livejournal.com]

Oh I'll see it. I like good animation, and the reviews say it has a good story. But it's still a boy-buddy-pic... :/

I'm still waiting (but not holding my breath) for the overwhelmingly guy-filled American animation studios to make movies that have a female(s) characters in the main role(s), not as a lone female secondary side character among a host of male side characters (Colette, Dory), or (oh no not again) a "love interest". If, for example, Ratatouille were to befriend a young woman working in a fancy kitchen, they could discuss the respective prejudices they both need to overcome...

Disney is pretty much the only one that writes female main characters, but even Disney Princesses all revolve around "Teh Marriage Issue", and one of their primary focuses is being allowed to make their own marriage choice while still trying to end up as the good tradition-hampered girl they are supposed to be. No career goals for these ladies.

[ruggels.livejournal.com]

Id have to agree. the story was rather uncoventional, but so well paced, and the humor a lot more subtle, and they made Paris look so beautiful. Tech ically it was a 3D geeks dream looking at all the surfaces there in that restaurant. And I loved the little tag at the end "100% Hand Animated, No performance capture used".

Scott

[vulpesrex.livejournal.com]

Sherry Patten and I are hoping to spring Fred from the convalescent home to see it on Sunday. Jerry Pournelle was invited to a screening, and just GUSHED about it: "You WILL BELIEVE that Rats can COOK!", and a hearty endorsement to all and sundry to make the effort to see it.

[skorzy.livejournal.com]

I don't think it was Pixar's best movie solely because I felt it dragged a bit in the middle of the story. Pace fell off and you're wanting something more to happen. The chief chef's "slapstick" was bordering on annoying to me... Otherwise, its a completely enjoyable winner that will be part of my library. I do agree, it was a clever and mostly unexpected direction for the story to go and that was pretty original!

I still think "The Incredibles" is the benchmark to beat.

[nicodemusrat.livejournal.com]

It was a remarkablygood movie, even by Pixar's high standards. I also really liked the storytelling flow. It's less of the neat-n-tidy arc and more of the rambling and turning reflected in the format. Unlike most other Disney movies, characters can come and go as they're relevant to the story; there's no forced wrap-up for most of them.

And a rat costume, you say? Hmmm... I'll send you an email.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yeah-- all the little mannerisms. Every time Remy moved or ran it was adorable! Pics at FC, definitely-- assuming I get him done in time. I'm thinking medieval more than Asian (maybe because any rat in Asian costume becomes "Splinter").

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Heya, Pors-- Oshin: wow, wish I could get that costume out again! Need to tweak the head, though. Eyes don't work well with flash pics.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I think Disney's been sensitive to the independent female: true, many are princesses-looking-for-their-prince, but that's a classic theme (and what the average little girl expects). Beauty and the Beast had a generally non-princessy/marry theme, for instance. Get any more PC and the movie becomes about that, rather than a good story.

There's always Miyazaki for strong female roles: plenty of those!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Cool-- I missed the "100% Hand Animated" bit: maybe that's why this worked so well for me, visually.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Nice! Glad to hear Fred's getting to see this! Thanks!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I agree re: The Incredibles: a -great- film. For some reason (not rational, admittedly), I don't compare it to the other Pixar films because it was such a diversion from their normal fare. I'm almost tempted to rank it with the other Flint and Matt Helm movies, it was such a perfect, loving homage.

Chef's slapstick was starting to grate...but the food critic made up for it. And the ending brings everything together so masterfully. Part of the reason I rank Ratatouille higher than Toy Story is that they took the harder road, story-wise, with Ratatouille and succeeded (IMO)>

[furtech.livejournal.com]

wurd

Rat costume! My first rodent! Woo!

[kvogel.livejournal.com]

The Paris bits really looked like Paris, not just a few sterotypical skyline elements and typical archetecture.

[madiushrat.livejournal.com]

A rat suit you say? >:3