Context: I was challenged by one of my professors to write about a favorite movie I had. Having had an argument with my professor (mind you in love and no confrontation) I decided on Ratatouille. This is Paper 3 of a collection of papers written for that class, enjoy.
A film is like fine wine tested and tasted throughout its aging process. Through careful creation and analysis, its value is determined to see if it holds the test of time and the reception of its buyers. Some buyers will deem it too bitter or sweet while others will adore its fruitful taste and comfortable effects given afterward, an aftertaste remembered and influence to buy once more. Films such as Ratatouille companion as part of classical collections whose reception remains cherished by many, from animation fanatics to the general audience. But how has this film about a rat crafting in the culinary arts find success in being preserved as a memorable piece of early-century film? Insightfully, ratatouille earned its reception and reputation as it saw positive profits through its use of CGI and pulled favor from a demographic that admires artistry.
One of the first things usually done by an individual curious about a film’s reception is to look online at how it is generally received. In this case, Ratatouille’s reception saw overall profits in its audience and financial endeavors through its use of CGI. Observed through the use of Rotten Tomatoes, Ratatouille receives a fresh 96% score complimented by an 87% audience score. Through deeper research, I found two sources from 2007, the release year of Ratatouille. Kirk Honeycutt writes Ratatouille as an “unbeatable combination” of talent from Brad Bird and Pixar Animation Studio that provokes an “unbearable sensuality” that provides for a general audience. What caught my eye was his comment on international reception. “Ratatouille might not reach the international box office heights of The Incredibles — then again, maybe it will — but the film does represent another huge leap in CGI technique and imagination by the Pixar folks. (Kirk, Hollywood Reporter)”. Reviewing information from Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro, The Incredibles earned over $631,000,000 compared to Ratatouille which earned over $623,000,000, it did less at the box office, however, improved upon animation for future Pixar films as mentioned by Kirk. “But unlike its CGI predecessors, "Ratatouille" doesn't center on the over-familiar surfaces of contemporary life. It harks back to Disney's older era -- when cartoons seemed part of a more elegant world with less edgy characters… the animals here are softly appealing, the repartee is bright but not postmodern, and the irony is easily understood. You can feel an almost antique atmosphere in the elegantly stylized renderings of alleys, cobbled streets, and restaurants in the background…fresh yet familiar, playfully mischievous but also subtly reassuring. (Thomson, The Washington Post)”. Expanding more into what Kirk mentioned about Pixar’s leap in CGI, The Washington Post recognizes that leap to translate as Ratatouille embracing the aesthetics of older films. This in turn favored a positive reception as audiences watched the film for its impressive aesthetics which inconsequentially influenced its financial growth to a level only sightly below The Incredibles. Despite disproving Kirk’s notion that it would beat The Incredibles, through its use of CGI it left audiences satisfied with the film both emotionally and financially. Ratatouille found success in gaining a positive reception from audiences and the box office, aesthetics can only go so far to influence. Something is missing.
What if we look at this film as a painted canvas rather than fine wine? Film is compared to an art form that expresses something. Ratatouille pulls favor from a demographic that admires artistry. Flash forward to 2012, and Asher Perrin Emmet writes more about this notion. “And then the obvious hit me: Ratatouille is the only Pixar film that is simply about art. About being an artist, developing as a creative force, and discovering your life’s passion…Creating art is a deeply personal act, but by virtue of creating, you are setting yourself up to be judged at every juncture”. The film is a message to individuals who see themselves in Remy, someone who may not be the typical individual in the creative space, thriving and doing their best to make it in this type of industry. As more individuals watch this film as a gateway into the film, culinary, and animation, the better the reception and relevancy this film carries as it communicates to them and others in similar positions. 8 years later, Schaffrillas Production created “Why Ratatouille is Pixar’s Magnum Opus”, a well-known analysis of the film and its message to creators. “Its scenes don’t flow one after the other within a consistent plot, they just showcase these people cooking, deepening bonds, discovering things about each other and so much more. It’s unclear how much time passes between each scene (Schaffrillas Productions, Why Ratatouille is Pixar’s Magnum Opus )”. In this, he communicates the film’s tactic that influenced audiences to interact with the film the way it did. Because of the film’s use of Indie Pacing, a progression in film that doesn’t rely on the completion of a goal to end a film. In showing the audience the “normal” lives of Remy and Linguini, the film explores their lives in a realistic manner that relates to the audience. Even Ego’s ending monologue reflects this as he questions the criticisms he has given in the past and how it impacts future creators.
Furthermore, Ratatouille found success as its use of CGI connected through favorable aesthetics which led to a positive reception from audiences as well as financial growth at the box office. Creating a film with a message highlighting artistry, grew audiences who found it relevant in their personal lives through the film’s use of Indie Pacing.
Sources:
Honeycutt, Kirk. “‘Ratatouille’: Film Review.” The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2021, www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ratatouille-159212/.
“Ratatouille.” Box Office Mojo, www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0382932/?ref_=bo_se_r_1.
“The Incredibles.” Box Office Mojo, www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0317705/.
“‘Ratatouille’: A Classic Recipe.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 29 June 2007, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/28/AR2007062802484.html.
Asher-Perrin, Emmet. “For Love of Art and the Education of A Critic: Ratatouille.” Tor.Com, 25 Aug. 2012, www.tor.com/2012/06/18/for-love-of-art-and-the-education-of-a-critic-ratatouille/
“Why Ratatouille Is Pixar’s Magnum Opus.” by Schaffrillas Productions YouTube, 4 Aug. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkdokuYtsZ8.
Bird, Brad. “Ratatouille.” Rotten Tomatoes, 29 June 2007, www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ratatouille.
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