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Ratatouille: Criticisms

208.58.2.83

clarkjohnsen

OK, OK, it was lots of fun -- smile on the face throughout, at least after the too-lengthy exposition. And the digital projection I attended was satisfying and without headaches. Plus the rats' body movements were hilariously accurate.

But let's be critical!

The exposition was like that "well-made play" where the maid and the butler in the opening scene discuss the master's problems, then launch into the plot. The early rat family stuff, including the poison sniffing, could have been cut by three or four minutes. Also what I call the Elmira Fudd sequence could have been drastically shortened at no loss; it wasn't even funny. And what were the rats doing living in her damn *ceiling* anyway?

Two foodie details: French restaurants aren't given five stars, as in the movie, rather only three. And after the food critic Anton Ego clearly ordered a '47 Cheval Blanc (good choice!) he was given a Lafite-Rothschild without a single comment made.

The above do not however constitute a reason to skip the show.

clark

Follow Ups:

One mild criticism of your criticism having to do with the targeted American audience - Audiophilander 10:25:01 07/18/07 (9)
I doubt that the increase in star ratings was accidental as so much attention was paid to accuracy elsewhere; it was probably a conscious decision by Pixar. Most folks in this country think in terms of 5 star ratings, so going with a 3 star rating would probably draw more attention to itself, perhaps confusing some folks into thinking it's a mediocre rating. Note: It's also possible that the wine switch was a subtle in-joke.

Cheers,
AuPh
- The wine switch and 5 Star ratings are high-brow gags included to make those who notice such things feel - Tony D. 19:08:30 07/18/07 (8)
  superior and or good about themselves, an obvious jab at the would be Anton Ego types who would go to a film like this and then rush to the keyboard so as to point these keenly observed faux pas to the rabble who inhabit the ceilings of Internet Forums.
  
  Notice that the two leads speak in completely neutral American accents so it's obvious what audience the movie was made for, what was nice is that the Rat and Human could not speak directly to each other and instead employed that oldest of communication methods, body language.
  
  Clark is correct about the old lady and the shot gun, a bit overdone.
  
  J.B.
  - Whereas I view it as a plothole, or a lapse of continuity. - clarkjohnsen 09:57:28 07/19/07 (3)
    Or Ego could have been made to make a fuss over the wrong bouteille!
    
    clark
    - No doubt most 'reviewers' will have the same response you did, the Unconcious in protection mode. NT - Tony D. 13:56:31 07/19/07 (1)
      NT
      - So: Every cinematic problem seen by a critic is proof of his own lack of discernment? - clarkjohnsen 15:00:21 07/19/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: No doubt most 'reviewers' will have the same response you did, the Unconcious in protection mode. NT posted by Tony D. on July 19, 2007 at 13:56:31
        
        How handy for a filmmaker, or a viewer of low degree, to believe!
        
        clark
    - ...OR it could be seen as a subtle jab at paid critics who, when push comes to shove, can't tell one thing from another. - Audiophilander 12:31:53 07/19/07 (0)
      Is it any surprise that an irony of THAT magnitude might be lost on you, mon ami? ;^D
      
      AuPh
  - "Clark is correct about the old lady and the shot gun, a bit overdone." - Agreed. - Audiophilander 23:02:37 07/18/07 (3)
    That could've been shorter and a little less over the top and been just as effective, but I had no problem with the rats secretly living in the attic until their domicile was discovered and demolished due to Remy's gourmet cooking obsession. BTW, the rain, river and sewer scenes were especially well done, IMO; CGI has come a long way and PIXAR remains in the vanguard with great stories deserving of superb animation.
    AuPh
    
    Edits: 07/18/07
    - Maybe they'll do your life story: "Stump Jumper Jim". * - mr grits 10:46:43 07/19/07 (2)
      ,
      Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
      - They've already done your's, except Tom Hanks played 'Forrest' as being sharper witted. (nt) - Audiophilander 11:12:42 07/19/07 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Maybe they'll do your life story: "Stump Jumper Jim". * posted by mr grits on July 19, 2007 at 10:46:43
        
        ;0)
        
        Agreed, he was far more athletic and better dressed. * - mr grits 12:19:43 07/19/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: They've already done your's, except Tom Hanks played 'Forrest' as being sharper witted. (nt) posted by Audiophilander on July 19, 2007 at 11:12:42
        
        .
        Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
The "chef" was a dead ringer for our outrageous Mayor! - mr grits 10:22:05 07/18/07 (2)
I giggled all the way through because of that.

.
Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
- Whoozat? nt - clarkjohnsen 10:47:21 07/18/07 (1)
  s
  - RE: Whoozat? nt - mr grits 13:30:32 07/18/07 (0)
    The Honorable Frank Melton!
    
    .
    Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII

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