You might know that the biggest movie in the world not involving outer-space robots is “Ratatouille,” a charming rat-with-a-dream romp that continues Pixar’s mind-blowing streak to eight consecutive hit films. You might even have seen the flick by now. But did you see everything? Like many Pixar movies, “Ratatouille” has hidden “Easter eggs” located throughout. Here are a few of our favorites, just so you know what to look for when you see the movie this weekend:
- Once again, “Cheers” icon John Ratzenberger lends his voice to a Pixar flick, this time appearing as the waiter Mustafa. Dubbed the “Good Luck Charm” of Pixar, he has done a voice in every single one of their movies, as is so closely linked with the company that he’s been known to play on their softball team.
- The character of Bomb Voyage returns to “Ratatouille” after appearing in Bird’s “The Incredibles”. The Leno-chinned character can actually be seen twice: once on the front of a newspaper read by Colette, and again as a mime on a bridge.
- While Remy is paddling through the sewer as if it were a theme park ride, you can faintly hear the “Dead men tell no tales” sound bite from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride - a sly wink to Pixar’s Disney brethren.
- In virtually every movie since it first appeared in “Toy Story,” the Pizza Planet delivery truck has made a cameo. In “Finding Nemo,” the beaten-up yellow Toyota can be glimpsed during the dentist office escape, for instance; in “Ratatouille,” the truck is on a bridge over the Seine while Skinner chases Remy.
- Colorful graphics appear all over street signs, food labels, posters and businesses in the movie, many of which are named after behind-the-scenes people on the flick. From Lasseter Cabernet Sauvignon (for Executive Producer John Lasseter) to Chateau-Bird Champagne (for director Brad Bird) to Chateau-Jessup Pauillac Medoc (for production designer Harley Jessup) and “Bouchiba” brand spaghetti (for animator Bolhem Bouchiba), they’re everywhere.
- The number “A113” makes an appearance in every Pixar film, because it was the classroom where Bird and Lasseter spent so many hours during their years at CalArts. In “Cars,” for instance, the number appears on the side of a train that nearly hits Lightning McQueen. Where is it in “Ratatouille”? Well, c’mon, we don’t want to spoil all the fun of watching it!
Did you spot any “Easter eggs” of your own? Could you find the “A113”? Let us know in the comments section!
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