That’s not to say that Pixar’s previous films have been shoddy or limited, no way. Ratatouille is a revelatory film, perhaps the first film by Pixar to transcend it’s animated roots and become an honest-to-goodness masterpiece. And what little sentiment there is, is festooned upon a bed of deep steamed quality and lemon-seasoned style. In these modern days of weight-watching, fad-diets and overqualified British chefs going around chumming up in squalid US kitchens, it’s refreshing to finally watch a film about food that isn’t either preachy or overly sentimental. Ratatouille is a beautiful, lovely, dramatic story of love, family, and good cooking. But then, this is a Pixar film, and once again the lads at Emeryville have managed to create something that not only sweeps away your preconceptions, it revolutionizes the way animated films can tell a story. You’d be forgiven for thinking a film about a rat in a kitchen wouldn’t make for a most appealing film, and in most cases you’d probably be right, slap on the back, give yourself a gold star. After all, that’s the joke of the title, yes? Yes. For results like this.Ĭharming Pixar film about a rat who discovers a passion for cooking, and ends up teaming with a young wannabe-chef to help a once-famous restaurant return to it’s former glory. This is why animated films continue to amaze us. With a cracking story, great characters, and an obvious love of the subject matter, this is most definitely one of the best animated films ever made.
What We Think : Superbly entertaining animated film, directed by Brad “ The Iron Giant” Bird and animated so beautifully that not a frame of this elegant film is anything less than perfection. Not only that, but world-famous food critic Anton Ego lays down a challenge to “knock him out” with a meal of the chefs choosing, the battle is on to ensure the restaurant survives at all. But when the head Chef learns that a rat is doing all the cooking, the pair must find a way to ensure they, and the business, are not jeopardized. There, he befriends a young scullery boy, and together, they begin to return a once proud and successful restaurant to its former glory.
Synopsis: When a rat discovers the ability to cook, and cook very well, he finds himself swept away through a sewer to the city of Paris, France. Cast : Voices of Patton Oswalt, Lou Romano, Brad Garrett, Peter O’Toole, Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, Brian Dennehy.