A likely usurper of "The Incredible"'s crown as best computer animated movie ever

Rating: 9/10 (25 July 2007)

Ratatuille is movie about a rat, Remy, who has a passion for the finer culinary arts. Despite peer pressure from his (fairly large) family, Remy just cannot accept the fact that he, as a rat, is condemned to eat whatever garbage he can scurry up, and is utterly fascinated by the world of cookery. Fittingly his hero is France's foremost chef, Gusteau. After being chased off their farm home, Remy is separated from his family and ends up in Paris, where Gusteau owns his restaurant ("Gusteau's", amazingly). There, Remy sets up base and eventually befriends a lowly kitchen hand, named Linguini. Together, they set out to change the face of "Gusteau's" for ever.
The basic premise of the movie is quite simple. Essentially it states that you can succeed, providing you have the talent and the tenacity to stick by your dream.
When I went to see Ratatuille, I went in high hopes. Brad Bird, with "The Incredibles" under his belt, sets the bar high in his second computer animated movie, and he delivers the goods bar-none. Frankly it is among the best animated movies ever to come from the US. The story is very charming and heartwarming. And while the film is very funny, it uses a variety of comedic elements ranging from subtle humor to outright slapstick, there is an element of drama and tension ensuring that viewers of all ages will be kept entertained. The dialog is witty and absorbing, the story will provide some twists and the animation is beautifully executed. Even the supporting "cast" are lovingly portrayed (I especially liked the chef who once "killed a man with his thumb") adding to the dept of the narrative. The voice acting is done very well in general. O'Toole, portraying the menacing food critic Anton Ego, and Ian Holm as Skinner, the choleric Head Chef, provide for the icing on the cake.
This film, very much like the "Incredibles", is not specifically aimed at young viewers. It provides a mature tone adding to the movie's credibility, which is good, since it will keep parents from falling asleep while their kids are having a good time. Actually, falling asleep will be the last thing on the viewer's mind as Bird again masterfully showcases a piece of cinema, in which the captivating story comes first, and the animation a distant second.
Take your kids, take your spouse/girlfriend, take you neighbors, but go watch this film. And visit a nice restaurant after that. Bon Appetit