Ratatouille
Michael Giacchino
" Rats a la Giacchino "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Pixar's leading status as the ultimate animation studio is confirmed with each new movie released. Ratatouille is Brad Bird's second computer animated movie for Pixar, and it's another incredibly witty, original and emotional project. Remy has a dream: to cook and become the best chef of his most adored establishment, namely Gusteau's five star restaurant in Paris. The sad fact and the only problem that is keeping him off that dream is that everyone starts to scream whenever someone sees him. You see, Remy is a rat and besides their lack of hygiene, they aren't exactly the most adored animals on the planet either. That is until Linguini, the young son of Gusteau acknowledges the talent and sharp potential of Remy. Together they form the most unlikely duo the restaurant has ever tasted.
Everything about Ratatouille serves up a top notch quality. Not the least due to Michael Giacchino's charming score. It takes a couple of test drives to win you over, and watching the movie does help a lot. Or how else can you understand the many cues that intertwine the story's premise? It isn't exactly the familiar Michael Giacchino style that is served up here! Naturally, The Incredibles wasn't either and yet that score was a hoot.
The score opens with Camille's song "Le Festin" and actually works wonders during the movie. It appears twice to realize its winning charm. It's not until a couple of tracks into the score that Michael Giacchino's whirling music starts the magic. Before that, the French national anthem and the accordion are mixed together in "Welcome to Gusteau's", and sneaky lazy music is spotted in "This is Me". The brassy encounter with Granny in "Granny Get Your Gun" and the thundering scherzo in "100 Rat Dash" are what drives the opening of the soundtrack.
Yet Giacchino is a master of styles and that is evident here as well. The funny running-around and charming "Wall Rat", the song based "Cast of Cooks" or the suspenseful dangerous journey through "A Real Gourmet Kitchen" are absolutely perfect for the movie. In fact, Michael Giacchino is a composer that puts a lot of detail in his music. Listen to such fun cues like the rhythmic "Souped Up", "Is it Soup Yet?" or the delightful "Colette Shows Him le Ropes".
The charm is all over the place, from the kitchen to the sewer. The stirring string work in "A New Deal" (showing the growing bond and understanding), the bouncy harmonica and whistling in "Remy Drives a Linguini", the absolutely charming delight of "Special Order" or the romantic blush in the beginning of "Kiss and Vinegar", Giacchino knows how to keep the flair at a 210 cooking degree. Still one of the composer biggest strengths is to conjure up speed and power in a matter of seconds. "The Paper Chase" is a winning example of this thriving evidence. However the real thrill comes from the fact that Giacchino stated this theme before, in the previous track "Heist to see you". Detail in cooking is important people.
The emotional laden "Abandoning Ship" is covering wonderful string work alongside a part of the love theme (heard in previous tracks as well), and shows that Giacchino can offer you music in all kinds of flavors. Watch out how Giacchino boils his music, rising to perfection in the music to get the perfection in the taste. The soft and dreamy "Anyone Can Cook" is just an appetizer for "End Creditouilles", a nine minute desert for Giacchino admirers. A jazzy and creamy layer underneath a sultry and tasty main theme performance.
Ratatouille may be one of Giacchino's most endearing projects yet. The man has gone from the MOH sound to a wonderful Parisian score, with accordion, harmonica and bass to blend its flavors. And just like some critics can change their opinion about a movie, so can I admit that I was wrong as well. Ratatouille is a unique recipe which flavors are at first well hidden. But once you experience and discover the intricate delicacies of its aroma, you'll find out it is in fact mouthwateringly delicious.
Ratatouille may be a nice charming little score for the average listener and it will taste good enough for them. But this score is perfected into the smallest of details. In these perfections lies the difference between a dish you love to eat, or a dish that takes you back to your childhood. Ratatouille is cooked to the utmost perfection, leaving an after-taste behind that only the grandest has given us. Charming, astounding and a near perfect match of a filmscore. That is the cook's recommendation for tonight.
Tracklisting
1. Le Festin: Camille (2.50)
2. Welcome to Gusteau's (0.38)
3. This is Me (1.41)
4. Granny Get Your Gun (2.01)
5. 100 Rat Dash (1.47)
6. Wall Rat (2.41)
7. Cast of Cooks (1.41)
8. A Real Gourmet Kitchen (4.18)
9. Souped Up (0.50)
10. Is It Soup Yet? (1.16)
11. A New Deal (1.56)
12. Remy Drives a Linguini (2.26)
13. Colette Shows Him le Ropes (2.56) Excellent track
14. Special Order (1.58) Excellent track
15. Kiss and Vinegar (1.54) Excellent track
16. Losing Control (2.04)
17. Heist to See You (1.45)
18. The Paper Chase (1.44) Excellent track
19. Remy's Revenge (3.24)
20. Abandoning Ship (2.55)
21. Dinner Rush (5.00) Excellent track
22. Anyone Can Cook (3.13)
23. End Creditouilles (9.16) Excellent track
24. Ratatouille Main Theme (2.09)
Total Length: 62.23
Everything about Ratatouille serves up a top notch quality. Not the least due to Michael Giacchino's charming score. It takes a couple of test drives to win you over, and watching the movie does help a lot. Or how else can you understand the many cues that intertwine the story's premise? It isn't exactly the familiar Michael Giacchino style that is served up here! Naturally, The Incredibles wasn't either and yet that score was a hoot.
The score opens with Camille's song "Le Festin" and actually works wonders during the movie. It appears twice to realize its winning charm. It's not until a couple of tracks into the score that Michael Giacchino's whirling music starts the magic. Before that, the French national anthem and the accordion are mixed together in "Welcome to Gusteau's", and sneaky lazy music is spotted in "This is Me". The brassy encounter with Granny in "Granny Get Your Gun" and the thundering scherzo in "100 Rat Dash" are what drives the opening of the soundtrack.
Yet Giacchino is a master of styles and that is evident here as well. The funny running-around and charming "Wall Rat", the song based "Cast of Cooks" or the suspenseful dangerous journey through "A Real Gourmet Kitchen" are absolutely perfect for the movie. In fact, Michael Giacchino is a composer that puts a lot of detail in his music. Listen to such fun cues like the rhythmic "Souped Up", "Is it Soup Yet?" or the delightful "Colette Shows Him le Ropes".
The charm is all over the place, from the kitchen to the sewer. The stirring string work in "A New Deal" (showing the growing bond and understanding), the bouncy harmonica and whistling in "Remy Drives a Linguini", the absolutely charming delight of "Special Order" or the romantic blush in the beginning of "Kiss and Vinegar", Giacchino knows how to keep the flair at a 210 cooking degree. Still one of the composer biggest strengths is to conjure up speed and power in a matter of seconds. "The Paper Chase" is a winning example of this thriving evidence. However the real thrill comes from the fact that Giacchino stated this theme before, in the previous track "Heist to see you". Detail in cooking is important people.
The emotional laden "Abandoning Ship" is covering wonderful string work alongside a part of the love theme (heard in previous tracks as well), and shows that Giacchino can offer you music in all kinds of flavors. Watch out how Giacchino boils his music, rising to perfection in the music to get the perfection in the taste. The soft and dreamy "Anyone Can Cook" is just an appetizer for "End Creditouilles", a nine minute desert for Giacchino admirers. A jazzy and creamy layer underneath a sultry and tasty main theme performance.
Ratatouille may be one of Giacchino's most endearing projects yet. The man has gone from the MOH sound to a wonderful Parisian score, with accordion, harmonica and bass to blend its flavors. And just like some critics can change their opinion about a movie, so can I admit that I was wrong as well. Ratatouille is a unique recipe which flavors are at first well hidden. But once you experience and discover the intricate delicacies of its aroma, you'll find out it is in fact mouthwateringly delicious.
Ratatouille may be a nice charming little score for the average listener and it will taste good enough for them. But this score is perfected into the smallest of details. In these perfections lies the difference between a dish you love to eat, or a dish that takes you back to your childhood. Ratatouille is cooked to the utmost perfection, leaving an after-taste behind that only the grandest has given us. Charming, astounding and a near perfect match of a filmscore. That is the cook's recommendation for tonight.
Tracklisting
1. Le Festin: Camille (2.50)
2. Welcome to Gusteau's (0.38)
3. This is Me (1.41)
4. Granny Get Your Gun (2.01)
5. 100 Rat Dash (1.47)
6. Wall Rat (2.41)
7. Cast of Cooks (1.41)
8. A Real Gourmet Kitchen (4.18)
9. Souped Up (0.50)
10. Is It Soup Yet? (1.16)
11. A New Deal (1.56)
12. Remy Drives a Linguini (2.26)
13. Colette Shows Him le Ropes (2.56) Excellent track
14. Special Order (1.58) Excellent track
15. Kiss and Vinegar (1.54) Excellent track
16. Losing Control (2.04)
17. Heist to See You (1.45)
18. The Paper Chase (1.44) Excellent track
19. Remy's Revenge (3.24)
20. Abandoning Ship (2.55)
21. Dinner Rush (5.00) Excellent track
22. Anyone Can Cook (3.13)
23. End Creditouilles (9.16) Excellent track
24. Ratatouille Main Theme (2.09)
Total Length: 62.23