Ratatouille Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)June 26th, 2007
RATATOUILLE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2007 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2
In this sequel summer of bloated blockbusters, being able to enjoy a terrific film like RATATOUILLE comes as a thankful respite in a sea of disappointment. Easily the best Pixar film since A BUG'S LIFE, RATATOUILLE is deliciously delightful, wonderfully sweet and drop-dead gorgeous. It's also a movie that has a wide appeal, certain to impress young and old alike, including adults without any kids in tow.
Even though it is based on a rather simple story, RATATOUILLE is so amazing that it's hard to know where to begin. About a rat who follows his dream to become a famous chef in the heart of haute cuisine, Paris, the movie has a lot to recommend it, but I'll start by praising its beautiful, painterly appearance. In scene after scene, you'll be looking in vain for a pause button so that you can stop for a minute to admire the breathtaking images created by the digital wizards at Pixar.
I'll arbitrarily restrict myself to my three favorite visuals. When the central character, a rat named Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt) enters the City of Lights for his first time, Paris earns its beloved nickname. Through Remy's eyes we see a city in front and below him that glistens like jewels with the glowing colors of various gems. This nighttime miracle moment is so lovely that it makes your heart skip a beat.
Another scene much later in the narrative occurs in a car chase through the cobblestoned streets. The trees are full of the golden colors of autumn leaves, and the buildings are reminiscent of some early Van Gogh paintings.
Although not quite as visually appealing as the first two examples but probably harder to create is a scene at the beginning when we first meet Remy. What is special here is a torrential downpour of the sort that I don't remember ever being attempted before with 3-D animation. Or, if it has been done before, it certainly was never so memorably effective and realistic.
Enough with the images, let's switch to discussing the story, which is darling. Being a rat, Remy is advised sternly by all of his friends and relatives to steer clear of those human killers. It is best to steal their food when they are not around and to avoid dangerous places like the kitchen.
But Remy has a gift. His nose can smell good foods, and, with a great sniffer, he is able to concoct some very appetizing taste treats.
Inspired by the great Chef Gusteau (voiced by Brad Garrett) and his best-selling book "Anyone Can Cook," Remy ends up working as a chef at the tony Parisian restaurant once owned by the now deceased Chef Gusteau, who appears to Remy in visions.
But, since the appearance of rats in restaurants cause them to be closed immediately by the health inspector, Remy must work in secret. He does this by living in the chef's hat of a doofus lad named Linguini (voiced Lou Romano, but who I would have sworn was Jon Heder). Although Linguini has no cooking abilities whatsoever, Remy controls him like a puppet, pulling on his red curly locks to move Remy's arms and legs. It all makes for some excellent slapstick. Remy even moves Linguini so that his lips finally meet those of his fellow chef, a take-no-prisoners cook named Colette (voiced by Janeane Garofalo).
Peter O'Toole is super as the villain, one Anton Ego, a gaunt food critic who eats up and spits out wannabe famous chefs. When asked how a food critic can stay so skinny, Ego reveals his secret. He only swallows food he likes, and he doesn't like much.
Well, this critic swallowed every tasty morsel of RATATOUILLE, including its touchingly sweet ending. I loved it all, and I think you will too.
RATATOUILLE runs 1:50. It is rated G and would be acceptable for all ages.
My nephew William, age 13, and his sister Liana, age 10, were in complete agreement on the film. They both adored it and both gave it ****.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, June 29, 2007. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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