Pop-Pop (Culture) in the Attic: Harry Potter

Since Pixar’s Ratatouille opens today, the staff at Entertainment Weekly has made a photo list of “12 of our all-time favorite examples” of “adorable, clever, talented, hilarious rodents on film.” It seems these are just general picks, and not in a “countdown” order to the best. To summarize their list, here were their picks:

STUART LITTLE from Stuart Little (1999)
JAQ, GUS, SUZY, AND CO. from Cinderella (1950)
TEMPLETON from Charlotte's Web (1973)
SCABBERS from The Harry Potter movies
BIANCA AND BERNARD from The Rescuers (1977)
MRS. BRISBY AND CO. from The Secret of NIMH (1982)
MASTER SPLINTER from TMNT (2007)
MICKEY MOUSE from Fantasia (1940)
FIEVEL from An American Tail (1986)
BEN from Ben (1972)
BASIL OF BAKER STREET from The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
RODDY AND RITA from Flushed Away (2006)

Many of you who know me know that I love mice. I have been since childhood, it became a nickname, I collect these little Charming Tail figurines… but anyways, I like mice. Especially fictional rodents, be they cute or funny.

So in reviewing the EW list, I see many movies I enjoy. The Secret of NIMH is probably my favorite on the list, with An American Tale, The Rescuers and The Great Mouse Detective to follow.

I never liked Stuart Little—I find the computer animation of his face to be creepy looking. And honestly, I could live without Scabbers, Master Splinter (especially from the 2007 TMNT version), Ben and Roddy & Rita.

Anyways, do I have a point? Indeed I do. I did notice some vacancies on the list that surprised me. I realized that they were speaking of film rodents only, so that disqualifies any television or literary characters.

Still, I was at a loss that they didn’t include The Chipmunks. I mean come on, what about 1987’s The Chipmunk Adventure? How cool is that movie?!

And yes, I admit, I do own it on DVD. Maybe it’s just a childhood nostalgia thing for me, but the Chipmunks (and Chipettes) in general are largely known characters in pop-culture. And they’ve appeared on film, so they should’ve made the list!

However, the other character the list lacked was the most shocking to me. I mean, really, how do you not list Rizzo the Rat? He’s been a character in all of the Muppets' feature films. He was co-narrator in 1992’s The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Rizzo and his family had some great scenes in the diner in 1984’s The Muppets Take Manhattan. Does Entertainment Weekly not remember this scene?

So who’s with me on this one? Thoughts, comments, opinions? Is there anybody out there? *Squeak* Okay, I’ll just go eat my string cheese in the corner.