An earthy delight

Rating: 9/10 (5 October 2007)

I will never look at the humble title dish the same way again. Beautifully artistic, non-cutesy animation, charming music and vocal characterizations, witty, snappy dialogue that is MUCH too sophisticated for children, TWO simultaneous success stories (1: true talent will out; 2: oaf makes good), a rocky-road-to-love story starring a very gutsy female, a terrifying but ultimately soft-hearted food critic, a cultured arch-villain, the mad competition for restaurant star ratings, overcoming the barriers of inter-species mutual mistrust and — above all — a celebration of those greatest of human inventions: good food and wine. What more could one ask? (A film of deeper social significance, perhaps, which explains my 9 instead of 10 rat-ing.) If you don't love this film you probably are dead.
One thing I haven't figured out: why did the rats come in two colors, brown and bluish-gray? Will someone please explain the significance?
OK, where's that zucchini . . .
Barry Freed