BUY IT
Stars:
Patton Oswalt, Brad Garrett, Ian Holm, Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofalo, Peter O'Toole
Genres:
Family
Release Date:
June 29, 2007
Rating: G
Producer:
Director: Brad Bird
Studio:
|
Edit Information
0
A Pleasant Surprise
This film appeared to have been trailered forever in the UK. Was it worth the wait? Surprisingly the answer is yes.
I have to state straight off that I had no desire to see this movie. When my wife & daughter suggested going, I scanned the listings for something else I might like at the same ciniplex. Nothing coincided with the start time, so reluctantly I tagged along.
The main feature is preceded by a five minute short about aliens trying to beam an earthling up to their spaceship. It's hilarious, but rather like the 'penguin short' which accompanied 'Madagascar', I was rather worried that it could prove to be the best thing. I was wrong.
Everyone knows the basic premise of 'Ratatouille' -- rat appreciates good food, winds up in a top class Paris restaurant, helps out hapless kitchen boy etc etc. But nothing prepares you for the sumptuous graphics, the stunningly believable characters, the intelligent dialogue and the complete lack of songs (hurray!), lack of American wise-cracking (see 'Chicken Little' for the worst excesses, eg 'Dad I need closure' -- please!!!) and lack of tiresome jokes.
The restaurant critic, voiced by Peter O'Toole is a particular delight, as is the relationship between 'little chef' and the kitchen boy. The film had my daughter spellbound throughout, though I should mention that it may be a bit over-long for very young children (under 7's) and there are no child characters to empathise with. For adults taking older children though, 'Ratatouille' is on a par with 'Finding Nemo' and 'The Incredibles' and really is worthy of the hype. Go see.