The Problem with Terrible Criticism

This is my video essay on the film Ratatouille and on what makes a good critic. For a film that is about a rat achieving his culinary dreams, it also shines a light on what is the most honourable goal for any critic: to discover and defend the new.
In my view, this is the other side of being a critic, whose role shouldn’t just be to separate out the good from the bad but to also find something new and unorthodox that deserves attention. It’s about those moments where you take a risk in recommending something genuinely worthwhile, despite where it has come from or what shocking new ground it broke.
The bold discovery and defense of the new. That is the Ratatouille way.
This is my video explaining why.
Thank you to my incredible Patreons for continuing to support this channel. You guys are amazing. At the time of this being made, these include the lovely people: “Jack Pollard, Dr_Slurp, ThatEvilCanadian”.
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What is Ratatouille?
Ratatouille is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The eighth film produced by Pixar, it was written and directed by Brad Bird, who took over from Jan Pinkava in 2005, and produced by Brad Lewis, from an original idea from Bird, Pinkava and Jim Capobianco. The title refers to the French dish ratatouille, which is served at the end of the film, and also references the species of the main character, a rat. Set in Paris, the plot follows the rat named Remy, who dreams of becoming a chef and tries to achieve his goal by forming an alliance with a Parisian restaurant's garbage boy.
The film stars the voices of Patton Oswalt as Remy, an anthropomorphic rat who is interested in cooking; Lou Romano as Alfredo Linguini, a young garbage boy who befriends Remy; Ian Holm as Skinner, the head chef of Auguste Gusteau's restaurant; Janeane Garofalo as Colette Tatou, a rôtisseur at Gusteau's restaurant and the staff's only female chef; Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego, a restaurant critic; Brian Dennehy as Django, Remy's father and leader of his clan; Peter Sohn as Émile, Remy's older brother; and Brad Garrett as Auguste Gusteau, a recently deceased chef.
The development of Ratatouille began in 2000 when Pinkava wrote the original concepts of the film. In 2005, following Pinkava's departure from Pixar, Bird was approached to direct the film and revise the story. Bird and some of the film's crew members also visited Paris for inspiration. To create the food animation used in the film, the crew consulted chefs from both France and the United States. Lewis interned at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry restaurant, where Keller developed the confit byaldi, a dish used in the film. Michael Giacchino composed the Paris-inspired music for the film.
Ratatouille premiered on June 22, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California, with its general release June 29, 2007, in the United States. The film grossed $623.7 million and received widespread critical acclaim for its screenplay, animation, voice performances, and Michael Giacchino's score. It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for several more, including Best Original Screenplay. Ratatouille was later voted one of the 100 greatest motion pictures of the 21st century by a 2016 poll of international critics conducted by the BBC.
Jan Pinkava came up with the concept in 2000, creating the original design, sets and characters and core storyline, but he was never formally named the director of the film. By 2004, Pixar added Bob Peterson as a co-director and he was given exclusive control of the story. Lacking confidence in the story development, Pixar management turned to The Incredibles director Brad Bird to direct the film, taking over Pinkava's role in 2005 while Peterson left the film to work on Up. Bird was attracted to the film because of the outlandishness of the concept and the conflict that drove it: that rats feared kitchens, yet a rat wanted to work in one. Bird was also delighted that the film could be made a highly physical comedy, with the character of Linguini providing endless fun for the animators. Bird rewrote the story, with a change in emphasis. He killed off Gusteau, gave larger roles to Skinner and Colette, and also changed the appearance of the rats to be less anthropomorphic.
And if you’re still reading this - hello.
This video is made through Fair Use under copyright law for the purposes of education in criticism or review; as well as parody or satire. www.copyright.... www.copyright....

[@BadassRandomness]

"Remi, we have to COOK!" Walter White

[@cristianperezcovarrubias4115]

Critico dela nostalgia 47464

[@motioninart]

he can't keep getting away with it!

[@christophergdunn]

I agree with everything you say in this video. It's easy to review the bad in art, but the good is the driving force. Cynicism can be entertaining, and giving arbitrary scores can set pre-conceptions. However, critics tend to forget why they went into the profession in the first place. That first taste of something new and great not only changes the critic's vanity, but also their soul.

[@motioninart]

100%. it changes someone for the better when they pursue the good.

[@Ixiah27]

And if you get a burned Steak and frozen veggies, do you point it out or not ?

[@tiredidealist]

Anton's praise would be utterly meaningless if it weren't for his past criticism of countless others. I think you're just projecting your views onto this movie, frankly. People are quick to say that art is subjective, and that's certainly true, but we also tend to forget what makes it subjective. Respect for critics come from an understanding that the critic has more experience with the art form that they're criticizing, or at least more experience in the consumption of that art. Someone who's only every had Burger King their whole life wouldn't make for a great food critic because their experience is entirely limited to a very simple, very cheap kind of food that's designed by a committee with nothing but profit in mind. Anton is taken seriously because he's devoted his life to experiencing what the culinary world has to offer, and there's nothing wrong with that. I write stories and poetry, and occasionally expose myself to criticism. Whose praise do you think matters more to me, people who live and breath poetry, or my mother? I love my mom, naturally, but she doesn't really read much of anything. Her praise matters, and so does her criticism, but I put a lot more stock in the opinions of people who actually read poetry. I take their 'negative' criticism to heart. I put that word in quotes because it's only really negative if you let it be. If someone is super harsh about my work I don't cry about it, I look at what they've said and try to use it to improve. If I didn't do that then I'd still be at the same level I was as a child.

[@oliviaisinspace]

your art here is as valid as remy's, it's good and i hope your channel doesn't stay a secret

[@motioninart]

ugh. That’s so incredibly kind. Saving this comment for later, thank you ❤️

[@marfin4325]

Eh, this video is incorrect because it assumes the incorrect assumptions made by the critic in Ratatouille. "In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment." People make bad reviews all the time. It takes a lot of creativity and skill to make good and entertaining reviews and the risk comes when you make a review that goes against the consensus of the masses. "...the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so." There are so many video game and movies out there that even if consumers had the money to buy them all, they wouldn't have the time to play them. To consumers who seek reviews to help them save their time and money, good reviews are invaluable and highly appreciated. There is much more wrong with Anton's monologue and this video that uses Anton's flawed analysis as a basis.

[@matttheking1655]

Great video, 2 of my favourite topics...food & Pixar movies..👌

[@motioninart]

so good. what's your favourite pixar movie?

[@matttheking1655]

@@motioninart Can't choose between the 3; Wall-e, Toy Story 2 & a bug's Life...by the love also the original short Gerri Game (a classic)....👌

[@JerryThres]

Why doesn't this video have over a million views?

[@motioninart]

❤️

[@jujuteuxOfficial]

1) lack of popularity 2) riddled with problems

[@nnickplays9713]

This is a great video! Thank you! If you don't mind, what do you think about the harmful critic or the shill critic who praises what he knows is bad and defends the bad, giving false reviews. That whole access media stuff, if they give a critical review then they lose access to the thing, so everything is always a 10/10 or Great in some way.

[@motioninart]

Thanks for the kind words. 1) Personally, it feels like they would be dishonest to themselves as well as to others which to me, is not a great way to live life. It also evokes a feeling that they're doing it maliciously, even if it's them trolling for laughs. 2) Outlets like IGN might have to do this to keep their relationship in tact, as you mentioned with them losing access to the thing. See videogamedunkey's game critics video which is excellent. 3) I don't subscribe to their opinions/views because of this (unless it's genuine) or I take them with a grain of salt. 4) The silver lining is that they're probably at least consistent all the time, so you know how to judge whatever they say in the future.

[@Tj-hu1nn]

Ah yes Friendlyjordies my favorite car critic

[@motioninart]

the best

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

In my opinion learning how to analyze and critique film is actually in some ways just as hard as making the art itself. Which is why when I see good film criticism (which is hard to detect) I am always slightly envious.

[@motioninart]

It really is

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

@@motioninart any tips on how to analyze films better?

[@Rinsankajugin]

This was an awesome video, 10 outta 10. It really makes me understand how much critics need the artists more than they realize, in many ways. Though I do find it interesting that you quoted Dunkey near the end, considering how much more cynical his videos have been as of late, unless that juxtaposition was intentional.

[@motioninart]

Thank you man. Means a lot. Has dunkey been overly cynical lately you think?

[@Rinsankajugin]

@@motioninart A tad bit. It's been a while since I've seen his videos, but last I remember some of his reviews had an air of genuine disdain over in the tone of his voice over games that others have said he never liked in the first place, such as many JRPGs. If I remember correctly, he even tried using his own audience to bomb the ratings of one game I can't remember, I think it might have been Xenoblade but it could've been another game. In a different instance, I believe his Multiversus video, he contradicted himself by dismissing the game's roster for the exact same reason he loved the Smash roster, while also saying the game didn't have items despite not even mentioning the Free-For-All mode, which indeed did have items. It kinda resonates in your video with what you said about critics stagnating in stuff they know they hate just for an easy job. On both occasions, when people called out his mannerisms, he just made fun of those fans without giving further explanations, and if he did try explaining himself, he'd call his more controversial opinions as 'satire' just to escape responsibility. Honestly, I miss when Dunkey videos were more fun, because it now feels like he's hiding behind a wall of unreliable opinions, which isn't a respectable thing to do when being a critic, especially when people look towards critics for second opinions. Sorry for the long-winded comment, it's just something I wanted to get off my chest for a long time.

[@fulgenzio89]

Good critics usually enthuse me to bad movies too

[@motioninart]

Which critics do you follow?

[@fulgenzio89]

@@motioninart I’m sorry, I follow only Italian critics 😢 Federico Frusciante is the best in Italy, but no eng sub

[@Jiixi]

great video

[@motioninart]

thank you, means a lot

[@robbie_the_mastermind2176]

I wonder if this video will mature Every frame a pause’s views or not?

[@motioninart]

Probably not

[@eugenegilleno9344]

Critisism is a personal account......we all have one.

[@motioninart]

Truth

[@Makeshift_Mulder]

Anton is you. Face it. Anton only insists he knows what good food is. And you shill for him. There's no other proof he actually does.

[@motioninart]

do you mean anton is everyone or literally me?

[@jasonotto9126]

I wouldn't even test drive a car if Jordan shanks doesn't approve 🤣

[@motioninart]

me neither

[@Ixiah27]

Have you ever considered that maybe the problem is postive review bombing and everyone giving 9/10s to movies and Shows who are just mediocre, all because they have some "i clapped when i saw it" scene ? Also, why should Ego feel remorse for an honest review ? Because it hurt someones fee fees ?

[@19maurice66]

great video but I don't like the misleading thumbnail

[@motioninart]

I’m open to suggestions

[@19maurice66]

@@motioninart Well my suggestion is make the thumbnail related to the video. You didn't really talk about cinema sins, so don't make them the thumbnail.

[@motioninart]

@@19maurice66 done

[@benjones1717]

Maths and science have truth and what criteria to find that truth seems straightforward, but is there truth in art and entertainment? - And what criteria should that truth be based on? Food like porn has a straight forward emotional criteria, like tasting salt we can trust our feelings. Entertainment and art are not the same things or on a continuum, and they are not just satisfying an emotional need like food or porn. They have an meaningful validity like philosophy or literature, even if we can't agree on how to quantify or measure them. (That's not to say something can't be both art and entertainment, just like it can be both literature and entertainment etc).

[@motioninart]

I find this very interesting to dwell upon deeper because it doesn't seem like there could be truth in art and entertainment but as you point out, I believe they're can be and moreover, it can be truly meaningful. for example, documentaries aim to capture the truth and they're consider an artform and a piece of entertainment. we might not ever be able to quantify or measure them but that doesn't mean they're not there.

[@therokku7393]

@@motioninart I think your take on documentaries can be like related to fiction and entertainment too, the best media are were even when is fiction, people arent characters but are as close to reality itself, like Breaking Bad, or Early Game of Thrones, but it depends on the genre, bcs you cant compare Breaking Bad with the Simpsons or Sponge Bob, is taking your medium and genre to familiar places and then to new places, its really hard, but interesting nonetheless

[@Christoffer13]

00:07 "music commentator"

[@motioninart]

lol

[@winstonian3]

How does fit into the gizzverse

[@motioninart]

It’s all connected

[@Liberty_or_Ded]

EFAP just covered you, I'm coming in from there, just wanted to let you know this video's pretty decent. EFAP usually mauls people they cover but their criticism of you (heh) was nowhere near savage and was complimentary in many areas. It's about a five hour coverage, if you'd like to give them a listen while you're at work or something, see how you find their opinions.

[@motioninart]

Appreciate the kind words, means a lot. I’m unfamiliar with EFAP but it sounds like something up my alley. Apologies for the dumb question but what is it/who? I’d love to check it out

[@JonnySamSam]

@@motioninart It is a podcast generally about writing and art and modern movies. They disagreed with a couple things, but said your video was better than most.

[@motioninart]

@@JonnySamSam interesting. link? Or is this not on KZbin

[@Liberty_or_Ded]

@@motioninart They're a media/pop culture critique podcast featuring Mauler, Rags, Fringy, Metalcommander, and different guests of all stripes. Often when they discuss another KZbinr's videos, it provokes a lot of discussions on certain topics (so a lot of the 5 hours is spent on tangents related to your video with a lot of discussion involved on various points made), and yours was actually one they didn't dislike. They disagreed on some points, but generally agreed that your video was well put-together and thought-provoking, which I find myself in agreement on incidentally.

[@JonnySamSam]

@@motioninart Uh... youtube deletes comments with links. And it is currently unlisted.

[@MF217]

So, wait, is this a video about media criticism? Or is this a deep dive into one of the prominent themes of the film Ratatouille?

[@motioninart]

Both

[@mikerochburns4104]

What's this about again?

[@motioninart]

As in the subject matter?

[@samuel5742]

I respectfully disagree with most of what you say here. Most people use critics to discern what to spend their limited discretionary funds on, not to elucidate themselves to the yet obfuscated avant garde.

[@thomashightower7881]

Your large vocabulary does not hide the fact that you have entirely missed the point of the video. It's a message about what how we can "use critics" in a different way, and that critics can change the way they criticize things to change society and culture potentially for the better.

[@samuel5742]

@@thomashightower7881 My sesquipedalian loquacity operates in service of the assertion that the application of criticism in discerning the value of a product is an independent application from the critique of an article of media's socially transformative value and using the term "critic" in a manner to refer to the latter whilst in common parlance one might likely think of the former is an exercise in teleological deception which I will not suffer.

[@motioninart]

This is just one side (as I point out) but @Thomas Hightower below expands on what I mean and what this video is really about.

[@motioninart]

@@thomashightower7881 agreed

[@LezbeOswald]

haha i get that reference, i too use a thesaurus

[@notaMMJV]

Ew, velvet buzzsaw, L film

[@motioninart]

The only good thing is the title

[@tobeornottobe5611]

Say, Hi Mom! You're on EFAP.

[@motioninart]

Which episode?

[@tobeornottobe5611]

@@motioninart #253

[@mra4696]

"The problem with over-criticism" is really a normie view of Ratatouille. Nothing more, nothing less and nothing new.

[@motioninart]

Yes

[@motioninart]

Or so the Germans would have you believe

[@mouthfulladeez]

Art is dead 🤣

[@motioninart]

it's still alive. just buried amongst the mess.