Summary:
- Ratatouille features dark Easter eggs, including a nod to “Nemo Brand Caviar.”
- This connection to Finding Nemo raises eyebrows due to its dark implications.
- Some argue the reference is to Captain Nemo, not the clownfish, but the connection remains unsettling for some viewers.
Pixar‘s films are known for their hidden gems – Easter eggs connecting their stories and delighting fans. However, one detail in Ratatouille might be a bit too dark for a family film.
Pixar’s journey began in 1995 with Toy Story, revolutionizing animation. Since then, they’ve explored diverse worlds and cultures, often featuring non-human protagonists like Remy, the ambitious rat chef in Ratatouille.
Directed by Brad Bird, Ratatouille takes us to Paris, where Remy (Patton Oswalt) longs to cook at Gusteau’s renowned restaurant. He partners with Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), the clumsy garbage boy, to create culinary masterpieces through Remy’s guidance.
Like many Pixar films, Ratatouille is packed with Easter eggs referencing other Pixar movies. But one particular connection to Finding Nemo raises some eyebrows.
Four years before Ratatouille, Finding Nemo introduced us to Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Alexander Gould), a clownfish father-son duo. Tragedy strikes early as their anemone home is attacked, leaving Marlin heartbroken and Nemo the sole surviving egg. Nemo’s later capture by scuba divers sparks Marlin’s daring rescue mission.
A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Easter egg in Ratatouille connects these two films. In Gusteau’s pantry, behind Remy nibbling on cheese, are two cans of caviar labeled “Nemo Brand Caviar.” This reference seems insensitive considering Nemo is a fish, especially when recalling the loss of his siblings in Finding Nemo’s opening scene.
Some viewers argue this might be a reference to Captain Nemo from Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” not the clownfish.
Beyond the Nemo Easter egg, Ratatouille has other subtle dark moments. Remy stumbles upon a painter working on a nude portrait and witnesses a heated argument with a woman pointing a gun.
Pixar films often touch on mature themes, but Ratatouille appears to push the boundaries with these Easter eggs. While some might miss them entirely, others may find them unsettling within a seemingly lighthearted story.
