Must Love Rats
By Sarah Carlson
June 28, 2007
What's up with rat and mouse cartoon characters? "Ratatouille," which opens tomorrow, joins a long list of films and TV shows dedicated to furry rodents. Seeing as how we didn't feel like writing about "Die Hard 4" or making a list of the best action flicks ever (we wouldn't have included "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"), as well as that Sarah was at Disneyland last week and wore mouse ears better than the 5-year-olds did, we have mice on the brain. Here's a rundown of the best screen rats and mice.
By Erin Steele
We don't want them in our homes, but we don't seem to mind them in our multiplexes (on the screens, at least.) With the release of ''Ratatouille,'' we have a brand new rodent to love -- and he joins a long line of beloved brethren. Here's our look at the mice who have entertained us for decades.
RATATOUILLE
This rat lives within the walls of a top-notch Paris bistro and dreams to become a top chef himself. Too bad his family isn't too supportive (they're happy with garbage), and the restaurant's patrons aren't too keen about having rats around (can you blame them?). Still, Pixar's newest film gives a sympathetic look at this rodent -- and it's rumored to be one of its best works yet.
Trivia:
The French waiter in the trailer talking about the cheeses is voiced by ''Ratatouille'' director Brad Bird. Bird also directed ''The Incredibles'' and ''The Iron Giant.''
MICKEY MOUSE
No mouse is more famous than this Ub Iwerks creation, who has entertained children and adults for nearly 80 years. He made his first appearance in 1928's ''Plane Crazy,'' but the Disney company celebrates his birthday as Nov. 18, 1928, when ''Steamboat Willie'' was released. Originally voiced by Walt Disney, Mickey has transformed several times since his birth. The one constant? The love children have for this anthropomorphic cartoon mouse.
MIGHTY MOUSE
Created by the Terrytoons studio for 20th Century Fox, Mighty Mouse is a superhero who was originally a parody of Superman. Like Superman, Mighty Mouse can fly, has X-Ray vision and incredible strength. The only difference? Well, that tail, for one. The Mighty Mouse cartoon was on television from 1959-1961, before CBS discontinued new episodes.
SPEEDY GONZALES
Speedy Gonzales is ''the fastest mouse in all Mexico,'' an animated cartoon mouse from the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. His major trait is his ability to run extremely fast.
He debuted in 1953's ''Cat-Tails for Two,'' directed by Robert McKimson. While he existed mainly in cartoon form in the the 20th century, he's made several reappearances in the new millennium, including a cameo appearance alongside Porky Pig in the 2003 film ''Looney Tunes: Back in Action,'' making fun of his politically incorrect status, and in a series of Spanish-language commercials for the Volkswagen Golf.
STUART LITTLE
Stuart (voiced by Michael J. Fox) was so lovable, he was even adopted by a human family. His biggest enemy? The family cat, who just can't wait to get rid of the new adoptee. But Stuart proves the good mouse always wins.
DANGER MOUSE
If James Bond were a mouse, he would be Danger Mouse. The British TV show, which began airing in the U.S. in 1984, is a loose parody of spy fiction, with the lead character working as a special agent. And what about that eye patch? DM doesn't actually need it, but as he points out, ''it's part of the suit.''
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Comments
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below -- responsibility lies with the relevant reader alone.
Posted by: Ryan English on June 28, 2007 11:42 AM
dangermouse was hard core, he even had an eye patch
welcome back to TX
Posted by: Double B on June 29, 2007 1:27 AM
Okay, I've refrained and refrained from commenting here, blah, blah, blah.
But Danger Mouse ROCKED SO HARD. DM, Penfold, Col. K, and of course the nefarious Baron Silas Greenback filled a lot of afternoons and made a lot of math homework go down a bit more smoothly. We got Nickelodeon pretty late in my hometown, but when we did all of my buddies and I became total Danger Mouse addicts. I can probably still hum that stupid theme song.