childrens film analysis

Ratatouille

Within seconds of starting the two of the main themes of the film become apparent. Firstly the music, the first thigh you hear is the French national anthem. Just seconds later a voiceover comes in talking about French food. Already the viewer has a good idea on what the film is based on. The first image you see is of a tele. As the camera zooms into it, there is a series of clips about a French restaurant and cook; this is also another main part of the film. The next shot starts up amongst some trees, looking down onto a small old cottage in surrounded by countryside and forests. It is miserable rainy weather and all you can hear is the rain falling on the leaves around the camera until, there is a gunshot from inside the house, at this point the camera starts to swoop down from the trees towards the house. As the camera gets closer you can hear more gunshots, screams and breaking glass. Still unable to see what’s going on there is a feel of mystery. The camera continues to move towards the window of the house, as it gets to the window it slows and stops just outside, still unable to see what’s going on the camera pauses for a second to build tension. Then suddenly a rat holding a book above its head comes bursting through the window. At this point the image freezes. It is stopped on a low angle, medium close-up of the rat, it is holding a cookery book above its head and is surrounded by broken glass. This already shows a recurring theme of food. Also the look of horror on the rats face gives the impression that something bad has happened.