Ratatouille is a tasty winner! Go see it now!

Rating: 10/10 (3 July 2007)

You know that feeling after you see a really good film that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and you laugh because you just spent the last two hours laughing at some real smart comedy, and you smile because you actually care about the characters? Ratatouille is one of those films.
Pixar is, and will always be, number one in animation, storytelling, and film-making. If all major Hollywood studios made films as good as Ratatouille, I'd probably be broke right now from seeing all of those movies. I don't know how Pixar does it. They seem to score every, single time. And that's what I love about Pixar. They win, and they know how to make good films.
Ratatouille scores a creative, funny, heartfelt, and genuine script from director Brad Bird. I had the opportunity to see him at San Francisco's Wondercon a few months ago, and I could see his passion up close in his eyes and how much he cares about Pixar's films.
Each scene has a purpose in Ratatouille. Remy, the rat hero of the film, dreams of becoming a chef, inspired by his hero, Gusteau, a French chef who just died. Remy meets Linguini, the klutsy garbage boy, and together, they become the greatest chefs in Paris. With the help of Colette, the only female in the kitchen; Emile, Remy's rat brother who eats anything; Anton Ego, the premier restaurant critic of Paris; and Skinner, the greedy head chef who wants to bask in Gusteau's fame, Pixar creates some of the most memorable characters. Laugh out loud scenes reveal new details about the plot as Linguini interacts with Remy. And to top it off, the finale of Ratatouille may be the most satisfying finale of a Pixar film ever (but I shall not spoil it here). For such a simple plot, some may think that Ratatouille scores low. But the heart and genuine humor bring Ratatouille to rival the greatest films ever created.
The look and sound of Ratatouille is incredible. Ratatouille boasts one of the most visually brilliant films, animated or not animated. Streets of Paris are marvelous as Remy gets chased from the chef. The kitchen of Gusteau's is full of energy. The sewers, from human perspective, are dark and gloomy. But when the camera turns to the rats' perspective, the sewers look and feel like heaven. And let's not forget the incredible score, which should and will get an Oscar nomination for original score this year.
In some ways, the story of Ratatouille mirrors how Pixar runs its company. Gusteau, I would imagine, is Brad Bird and all the geniuses at Pixar, because Gusteau carries those values of being able to showcase your talents. Gusteau addresses the mediocrity of society but also reminds us the importance of finding our talents and passions saying, "Anyone can cook." Remy, I assume, is Pixar, because Remy has a dream to be the greatest chef, just like Pixar is the greatest film studio. Just like how Linguini uses Remy to help showcase their talents together, Disney uses Pixar to gain fame and fortune.
If you ever get the chance to meet someone who has already seen Ratatouille, go strike a conversation with them. I bet you a free movie ticket that the person only has things to rave about the greatness of Pixar's Ratatouille.
"Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great." Ratatouille is a winner!