Movie Review: Ratatouille (2007)

Good February day to you, readers!

Today is February 2nd, a day commonly thought of with an animal mascot. Iʼm going to review a movie about that very same animal, the rat!

Just joking, thatʼs my little sense of humor kicking in. Today is Groundhog Day, not Rat day, yet I am still choosing the rat. Iʼm sorry, one year I will actually focus on the groundhog! For now, there is a method to my madness. We are coming to the end of a year. I know that youʼre thinking Iʼm a little late to the game (youʼre not wrong), but the year that Iʼm referring to is the Lunar New Year! This was the Year of the Rat, and on February 12th we will enter the Year of the Ox. I am by no means an expert, but I thought that reviewing a movie with a rat would be a fun thing to do and I could connect it back in!

Did I mention that one of these rats cook? If that sounds odd to you, then keep reading.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is 100% spoiler-free! Reading this wonʼt give away the ending or any of the twists!

Ratatouille (2007):

“Whatʼs my problem? First off, Iʼm a rat.”

Remy is different from the other rats because he values what he eats. Food calls to him in a special way that no one else understands, not even his big brother Emile, though Remy tells all of this to him anyway. When their colony is found out Remy gets separated from the other rats and is alone in Paris. He pretends that he is talking to his favorite chef who gives him advice. After an encounter with a human, Linguini, they are both in a tough position. Together they realize which one of them can cook and which one canʼt. They come up with plan, a crazy one, but will it work? The sous-chef Skinner is suspicious of them, but can they avoid detection while Linguini keeps his job and Remy gets to fill his dream?

“Anyone can cook!”

Genre: Animated, Family.

Length: approx. 111 minutes.

Script: 9, I wrote down that there is one bad word, but itʼs not notable.

Crew: Directed by: Brad Bird & Jan Pinkava. Written by: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Emily Cook, Kathy Greenberg, & Bob Peterson.

Starring the voices of:

“We are artists, pirates!”

Patton Oswalt as Remy. “A cook makes, a thief takes.”

Lou Romano as Alfredo Linguini.

Ian Holm as Skinner.

Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego.

Janeane Garofalo as Colette.

Peter Sohn as Emile.

Brian Dennehy as Django.

Brad Garrett as Gusteau.

Will Arnett as Horst.

Julius Callahan as Lalo & Francois.

James Remar as Larousse.

John Ratzenberger as Mustafa.

Teddy Newton as Lawyer.

Tony Fucile as Pompidou & Health Inspector.

Brad Bird as Ambrister Minion.

Stéphane Roux as TV Narrator.

Costumes: N/A, itʼs animated and everyone is wearing standard clothing or cooking uniforms, so it doesnʼt count. If I was being picky (which I usually am but am not feeling like it today), I would say that there is one scene where someone isnʼt wearing a shirt. 

Animation: 10! Pixar almost without a doubt always receives a 10 for this category. They specialize in creating these masterpieces which have outstanding stories, but are carried so well through stunning animation. The rats arenʼt gross, but the way they are drawn gives them character! Also, all of the people are really unique. But, my favorite aspect goes beyond this. Have you ever wondered what "taste" looks like? This movie gave the feeling of tasting food a visual!

Animation by: Pixar animation studios.

Music: 10, again, absolutely marvelous. This story all happens in France and that is woven in the music really, really well!

Music by: Michael Giacchino (heʼs a genius!).

Quotability: 10! I wrote down really random things as my notes, but that goes to show you that this whole movie is chockfull off good lines. One that my sister says to me all the time (with the perfect accent!) is:

“Should I be concerned about this? About you?”

Notes: Chef Thomas Keller was consulted during the making of this film and came up with the recipe for the famous ratatouille dish. My family has made it and it is delicious. This movie also has bonus features of a Pixar short (Lifted) , and another short called My Friend the Rat, so stick around for those.

Oscars won: 1: Best Animated Feature Film.

Content: 8, there are dead rats, stealing, death, a suggestive line, kissing, and a scene where someone is intoxicated (one of the funniest scenes, but I digress). I won't reveal all of the scene, but one of my favorite lines is, "If you're gonna name a food, you should give it a name that sounds delicious.", and everything that comes before and after.

Originality: 10! This is one of the most unique plots that Iʼve ever seen, yet it works. Itʼs incredible. A rat who wants to cook? I love it so much. It shows you what itʼs like to have a passion for creating and to go after your dream! It is beautiful.

ʻ“Yeah, it was as bad as we remembered.  It just went out."

“Did you taste it?”

"Yeah, of course. Before he changed it."'

Good For: Anyone who is alone, anyone who loves food, families, anyone with big dreams.

Age Range: This is perfectly acceptable for all ages. As a bonus, from young to old anyone will probably love this! It is relatable to all ages and has good messages, not just for kids.

Overall Score: 9.5!

Worth watching?: I have never regretted watching this movie in all the times that Iʼve seen it. It never gets old and I always get something new out of it, whether itʼs understanding the story more, appreciating the animation or score, or finding new lines to quote on a daily basis.

Will I watch again?: This is one of my sisterʼs favorite movies, so definitely. I canʼt tell you how many times Iʼve already seen it, and I canʼt tell you how many times I will see it again!

Bonus thoughts:

“If you focus on what youʼve left behind you will never be able to go ahead.” 

Pixar creates wonderful and magical films. Something that I love about this movie is how it takes place in the real world. We see everything from Remyʼs perspective as heʼs our narrator and we see him talking to other rats, but he canʼt talk to humans. Every once in a while it switches for one second to a humanʼs point of view and all we hear from the rats are squeaks. Something about that communication barrier adds to it and makes you almost believe that something like this could happen. Could animals have dreams of greatness like we do?

I love all of the characters! Colette is amazing. If you ever wondered it there is a fictional character who I am like, it's Linguini, with a dash of Emile. Probably more than a dash. Remy is the perfect character to root for! Anton Ego is iconic. The whole time when I last watched it I kept really hearing Peter O'Toole's voice distinctly and kept telling that to my sisters. They would then tell me that they knew that. The characters are all so well rounded, not a single one is lacking in any way!

Like all Pixar movies, the messages are what hit home. Watching this you know that everyone has a job that is important, and no one is "just a garbage boy".

Fin

Thank you for reading! Have any of you seen this movie? What about any other movies involving rats? Favorite cooking film? Enjoy six more weeks of winter!

MovieCritic

2020 Memorial

Hello.

The last day of the year is the time when I usually write a memorial for any actors or authors who we lost. This year I knew that it had to be bigger than that. The whole Earth has experienced loss as deaths have been higher this year for so many reasons.

It hasn't just been actors. Sure, they've been there, but there have also been singers, writers, TV show hosts, dancers, doctors, athletes, parents, children, aunts and uncles, business workers, teachers, friends, etc. etc. etc.......creators. Young, old, and somewhere in the middle. People from all over the world. Everyone has made an impact, so everyone is a creator and source of inspiration: a spreader of joy in different formats.

So many people have died from Covid-19, but also from old age, battles with cancer, abuse. Like the first list this one also, sadly, continues into infinity.

I think that every family in the world knows someone who isn't here to brighten the world as we continue the march on.

I've spent months trying to figure out what to say at this moment. I've pondered, searching for the right words, but there are none. I keep trying to make 2020 out to not be as bad as everyone says it was. I look for all the good that has come from it, and I am truly grateful. Right at this moment, though, I am saddened. This post is me taking my time to mourn. I know that I am usually on the selfish side, but right now I just want to think of all the people who have added to this world and aren't here today to see it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

In no world could I have known all of you, but I miss you all the same.

Here's to the world and making it better in the memory of those who have gone before us...and better for those yet to come.

To all my readers, I wish all blessings to come to you and yours.

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Shergar (1999)

Hello, all!

I hope that this finds you all safe and healthy. I am sitting down to write this as I have some extra time on my hands. I was going to review an older movie, but then I realized that the two other movies that I have reviewed this month have been Irish, so I thought, "Why break the streak?" I just watched this movie a few days ago for the first time, so it is still fresh in my mind. Also, two of the actors from one of the movies I reviewed, Waking Ned Devine (1998), are in this! Enjoy my review!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


Shergar (1999):

(Loosely) Based on: The true story of the disappearance of the race horse Shergar.
A group angry at politics and wanting money, the I. R. A., decides to steal the retired racehorse named Shergar. They demand a ransom or threaten to kill Shergar. While all of Ireland searches the country, Shergar is hidden away at a farm run by a bitter farmer who agreed to help the group. The boy who works for him, Kevin, is horrified that this brilliant horse that he has heard so much about is having this done to him. Kevin promises Shergar that he won't be hurt and that he will take care of him, but with these dangerous men, what can he do?
"Well, that was a fine introduction."

Genre: Drama, Crime.
Length: approx. 95 minutes.
Costumes: 7, there is a scene where one person isn't wearing a shirt. Overall nothing incredible.
Script: 8, there are people saying the Lord's name in vain a few times, but other than that clean.
'"I can't be in two places at once!"

"Do as you're told!"'

Crew:
Directed by: Dennis C. Lewiston.
Written by: Dennis C. Lewiston.
Starring:
Tom Walsh as Kevin Doherty.

Ian Holm as Joseph Maguire.

Laura Murphy as Kate.
David Warner as Eammon Garrity.

Andrew Connolly as Dermot Concannon.

Mickey Rourke as Gavin O'Rourke.
Fintan McKeown as Det. Inspector Deely.
Jimmy Keogh as Father Doyle.
Alan Barker as Elliott Smyth.
Stephen Brennan as Mr. Faloon.
Virginia Cole as Mrs. Garritty.
Andrew Dixon as Chief Inspector Penfold.
Dave Duffy as Sergeant Mullins.
Julian Fellowes as Chambers.
Gary Lydon as Det. Sergeant Malen.
Graham Simmonds as James Simmonds.
Notes: Fintan McKeown and Jimmy Keogh are the two that are also in Waking Ned Devine (1998)!
Cinematography: 9, of course the scenery of Ireland was beautiful (even if it was a little off, my mom could tell that they filmed in a different part of Ireland than it was set.) There was one bit with the rain that I was really impressed with.
Cinematography by: David Lewis.

Music: 6, nothing memorable.
Music by: John Scott.
Quotes: 8, there was this one part that made me laugh because it made no sense. Kevin tells Shergar, "You destroyed them. You were like a pack of donkeys." (paraphrased).
Content: 7, there is smoking, some people and animals are killed by being shot, a gross thing, and a suggestive thing.

Originality: 8, there are lots of horse movies (and you have to love them, right?), but I don't remember another with this storyline. I did seen something that was going to happen, but I was so glad that it did!
Good For: horse lovers, anyone who likes movies set in Ireland.
Age Range: The things that I mentioned as content (mostly the killing) might be a little much for younger watchers just because it is pretty violent. I think it's rated PG-13, but that's the only reason.
Overall Score: 7.5
Bonus thoughts:

"Everything has a reason. We all touch each other on the way."
Those of you Lord of the Rings fans you might recognize the name Ian Holm. My family all agreed that the actor playing Joseph was really familiar and it wasn't until the end that my dad said, "It's Bilbo!"
I enjoyed this movie and will probably watch it again. Kevin was a great character and really easy to like, where you absolutely hated the villains. No one knows what really happened to Shergar, but what they came up with made sense. Also, I just really like horse movies.


Well, that's the end of the Irish movies reviewed this month! Sorry about the lack of photos, this isn't very well known. Has anyone else seen this movie? What are some of your favorite horse movies? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic