A Very Pixar Afternoon

Well, since Pam’s busy with the big 48 Hour Book Challenge this weekend, I thought I’d take the girls out to see Cars. Pixar’s definitely done it again, though it’s definitely a more adult-oriented story. I don’t mean inappropriate for kids by any means; it’s just a more personal-development story, with less overt conflict. For a movie ostensibly about racing, it’s more deliberately paced than one might expect. But the production design was top-notch, and the virtual cinematography was absolutely astonishing — near-photorealistic at times, without losing its characteristic Pixar-animated touch. Still, I wasn’t coming out of it in near ecstasy, like I was with The Incredibles.

Speaking of The Incredibles — or more specifically, of its director, Brad Bird — they showed a trailer for his next film, Pixar’s Summer 2007 offering, Ratatouille, and something struck me. Wanna try and figure out what it is? Go watch the trailer at Apple’s site. I’ll wait.

All done? Recognize the voice of the main character? Yep — my number-one name-drop, Patton Oswalt. You can be damn sure I’m gonna see that one opening weekend.

(Oh, who am I kidding? I’d have been there even if Patton hadn’t been in it. But it’s sure as hell a nice surprise. Local boy makes good, and all that.)

Technorati tags: Cars, Movies, Pixar, Patton Oswalt, 48 Hour Book Challenge