Computer-animated feature films

Post by **Dale** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:01 pm

I just watched "Ratatouille" for the first time. I've been just a bit slow to fully accept these 100% computer-animated films. Part of it is just nostalgia for the classic methods. I love, for example, the 1940 "Pinocchio" film.

But I watched this Ratatouille movie on my 10-year old 27inch, non-high-def TV set and I just can't believe how good this computer animation stuff has gotten. I mean, I've been really impressed with the technical accomplishments up to this point. I'd been able to watch previous all-computer movies like "The Incredibles" and marvel at what they could do, but this is the first time I've thought that the technology produced something that's really beautiful to look at. The other thing I admire about the animators of this film is that there's nothing showy or self-conscious about it. There's no "look how beautifully we can do this shot now." Every frame (do they stlll have frames) is completely devoted to telling the story well and not whiz-bang and show-off. And, I like the way they do the humans here. They're not really done to look photo-realist. All the humans are stylized so that you're always clear that it's still an ANIMATED film.

Anyway. Very cool

djm · Post by **djm** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:17 pm

Dale wrote:do they stlll have frames

Yes, it is still based on deceiving the human sense of sight into perceiving motion when 24 frames per second (film) or 30 frames per second (tv broadcast dropframe) goes flashing past our eyes. And I agree that film was very satisfactory on many levels.

djm

violinmyster · Post by **violinmyster** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:38 am

computer generated films are really getting into their stride now. the technology is at the point where its a common enough tool that they can concentrate on the story rather than the CGI aspect. most CGI films have commentaries or behind the scenes stuff that go into some detail on what they did and why.

dunno how your TVs hooked up but if you can go with at least S-Video or Component cables youll be amazed how nice a decent non hidef TV can look.

if you havent seen Cars, Hoodwinked or Open Season, those are really good too. all story telling, the CGI format was just a way to show what otherwise couldnt be filmed.

chrisoff · Post by **chrisoff** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:31 am

Go watch Wall-E. Best film Pixar have ever done.

Ratatouille was very good as well though.

Post by **Dale** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:52 am

chrisoff wrote:Go watch Wall-E. .

I think I will.

JordanII · Post by **JordanII** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:30 pm

The first Shrek movie is pretty good... it's surprisingly hilarious.

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:45 pm

Daughter #1 and I just watched The Incredibles which she'd somehow never managed to see before. It's a goodie. I actually prefer it to Ratatouille*, but I think I understand the point about the artwork.

Highly recommend Wall-E.

*I don't think any expressions have crept into our family vernacular from Ratatouille (though we liked it,) but we do enjoy saying:
Monsieur Incroyable!
I don't know...something amazing, I guess...
and
I've still got time!

jkwest · Post by **jkwest** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:48 am

hey Dale...you should see the Blu-Ray on my 50in 1080p display with lossless audio....

truly spectacular! I love this movie.

djm · Post by **djm** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:53 am

I still get a laugh out of Chicken Little. There's no way children are going to clue in to half of these jokes. I hope to check out Wall-E later this week. If it says Pixar on it, you are usually looking at some of the best.

djm

jsluder · Post by **jsluder** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:57 am

jkwest wrote:hey Dale...you should see the Blu-Ray on my 50in 1080p display with lossless audio....

truly spectacular! I love this movie.

Yup. "Rat-patootie" is awsome on Blu-Ray. Incredible detail without getting in the way of the story.

Aanvil · Post by **Aanvil** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:09 pm

Wall-e is not one of Pixar's best. IMHO

Don't get me wrong. They did a ridiculous amount of work and it shows.

So it looks terribly good but it really doesn't deliver on story.

I mean how many times do they have to do the "hand grabbing" thing?

I got it the first time.

Very little character development and there were just too many holes in the story.

Still its good to look at and there are tons of little visual jokes everywhere. Almost too much actually.

I think Rat' is by far superior as a complete package... but that was Brad Bird's baby and he delivers.

He's the one that was responsible The Incredibles.

jsluder · Post by **jsluder** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:04 pm

Aanvil wrote:Wall-e is not one of Pixar's best. IMHO

Don't get me wrong. They did a ridiculous amount of work and it shows.

So it looks terribly good but it really doesn't deliver on story.

... <snip> ...

I think Rat' is by far superior as a complete package... but that was Brad Bird's baby and he delivers.

He's the one that was responsible The Incredibles.

I agree. WALL-E was cute, and the animation was superb, but it wasn't as satisfying as Ratatouille or The Incredibles (my two favorite Pixar flicks... so far).

jkwest · Post by **jkwest** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:11 pm

Brad Birds best film is still The Iron Giant.

Thomaston · Post by **Thomaston** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:12 pm

jkwest wrote:Brad Birds best film is still The Iron Giant.

Amen. That's one of my all-time favorites, cartoon or otherwise.

Aanvil · Post by **Aanvil** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:55 pm

Thomaston wrote:
jkwest wrote:Brad Birds best film is still The Iron Giant.
Amen. That's one of my all-time favorites, cartoon or otherwise.

Brad was probably watching Johnny Soko the same time I was although hes a little older than I am.

I remember crying when Giant Robot blew himself up with Emperor Guillotine to save the world... hey, I was five.

Very similar to Iron Giant but this time Brad made his robot come back!