AHK Cinema · Movie Review
Ratatouille
2007 Dir. Brad Bird 111 minBest for CEFR B2
In the heart of Paris, a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a chef, navigating culinary delights and dangers. With stunning animation and a captivating storyline, *Ratatouille* is a film that will leave you wanting more.
Things You Didn't Know
6 hidden details
1
Voicing Remy
Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was chosen for the role due to his unique voice and comedic timing. Oswalt's performance brought depth and humor to the character of Remy.
2
Parisian Landmarks
The film features many famous Parisian landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The animation team spent several weeks in Paris, studying the city's architecture and atmosphere to ensure accuracy.
3
Culinary Consultation
The film's culinary consultant was Thomas Keller, a renowned American chef and restaurateur. Keller helped the animation team to accurately depict the inner workings of a professional kitchen.
4
Animation Process
The animation process for *Ratatouille* took over four years to complete. The film's animators used a combination of traditional techniques and computer-generated imagery to create the movie's unique visual style.
5
Music Composition
The film's score was composed by Michael Giacchino, who is known for his work on several Pixar films. The soundtrack features a mix of jazz and classical music, reflecting the film's Parisian setting.
6
Awards and Nominations
Ratatouille received widespread critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The film was also nominated for several other awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
The Takeaway
The takeaway from Ratatouille is that following your dreams, no matter how impossible they seem, can lead to remarkable outcomes. The film teaches viewers about the importance of teamwork, creativity, and self-belief. For English learners, I recommend watching the scene where Remy and Linguini first meet with subtitles to improve your listening and reading skills.
The Learning Pack
Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.
Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.
Vocabulary (16)
palate
earlythe sense of taste
"Remy had a refined palate."
klutzy
middleclumsy
"Linguini was a klutzy kitchen worker."
aspirations
middlegoals or ambitions
"Remy had high culinary aspirations."
rendition
latea version or interpretation of something
"The film's rendition of Paris was beautiful."
dialect
latea regional or social variety of language
"The film features several different dialects."
cinematography
middlethe art of filmmaking
"The cinematography in the film was excellent."
tension
middlea feeling of anxiety or uncertainty
"The film built up tension as Remy and Linguini worked together."
excitement
middlea feeling of enthusiasm or eagerness
"The film's exciting plot kept viewers engaged."
impossible
earlyunable to be done
"Remy's dream seemed impossible at first."
remarkable
lateworthy of notice or attention
"The film's outcome was remarkable."
teamwork
latethe activity of working together as a team
"Remy and Linguini's teamwork was essential to their success."
creativity
latethe ability to create new ideas or things
"The film celebrated creativity and innovation."
self-belief
lateconfidence in one's own abilities
"Remy's self-belief helped him to achieve his goals."
landmarks
middlefamous buildings or places
"The film featured many famous Parisian landmarks."
atmosphere
middlethe feeling or mood of a place
"The film's atmosphere was lively and engaging."
consultant
middlea person who gives expert advice
"The film's culinary consultant was Thomas Keller."
Idioms & Expressions
follow your dreams
to pursue your goals and aspirations
Remy's journey
impossible task
a task that seems too difficult to complete
Remy's initial struggles
work together
to collaborate or cooperate
Remy and Linguini's partnership
make a name for yourself
to become famous or well-known
Remy's success
on the line
at risk or in a dangerous situation
the kitchen environment
Cultural References
French cuisine
French cuisine is known for its sophistication and elegance. The film celebrates the art of French cooking and the culture surrounding it.
Parisian landmarks
The film features many famous Parisian landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. These landmarks are iconic symbols of French culture and history.
French accents
The film features several characters with French accents, which adds to the movie's authenticity and cultural relevance.
culinary tradition
The film highlights the importance of culinary tradition and the passing down of recipes and techniques from one generation to the next.
Scene Breakdown for Shadowing
around 00:42:00
Remy: 'I can cook!' Linguini: 'You can cook?' Remy: 'Yes, I can cook!' Linguini: 'But you're a rat!' Remy: 'That doesn't matter. What matters is that I have a passion for cooking.'
This scene is powerful for learners because it showcases Remy's determination and passion for cooking. The vocabulary used is also relevant to the topic of food and cooking. Learners can practice shadowing by repeating the dialogue and trying to imitate the characters' accents and intonations. The scene also highlights the theme of following one's dreams and not letting obstacles get in the way.
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