10 Years Later....and I Still Love It

Rating: 9/10 (14 November 2017)

When people mention their favorite Pixar movie, the usual answer is either Toy Story, Finding Neo, The Incredibles, Up, Wall-E, or even Inside Out. And while I definitely admire those films for what they are and for the impact they've led on animation in general, my personal favorite of the company's filmography is none other than Ratatouille. I don't know what my deal is with this movie, it just gives me the most enjoyment and satisfaction out of all the Pixar films on the block. Watching it now 10 years since it came out, it still resonates with me on a personal level.
The main character Remi is unfortunate to be a rat who has the dream of cooking, and it's through his passion that we see just how lovable, intelligent and gifted he really is. Alongside knowing some really good recipes, the way he was able to befriend Alfredo Linguini but also control him with his hair just adds into how knowledgeable he is in terms of cooking. Speaking of cooking, that's where the movie truly shines in, as it shows many different techniques of how to prepare different types of delicacies, from soup, to a special order, to even the actual meal ratatouille itself. I myself love the very concept of cooking as a food lover, so it was fantastic to see Pixar really go outside the box to explore just how fun and intriguing cooking truly is.
Adding into how experimental the ideas of cooking in the movie are, the animation is just sublime. The usage of colors, types of food, atmospheric scape of Paris, and 1960s style setting really gives the movie a sense of French delight and makes the movie look appealing as much as the food it presents. Also, the character designs are very well done, as they look like 2D character first and computer-generated characters second. They cross between the line of realistic and simplistic while also moving at a brisk pace, especially the rats. And another added bonus is how well shot the movie is, not just how beautiful it looks, but also by how a scene plays out almost like it's own mini segment that still fits into the story.
As for the characters besides Remi, most of them are memorable, funny, and quite intriguing. Linguini is kind of uninteresting at first, but as he becomes more famous and starts running Gusteau's Restaurant, he becomes more relatable since he shows just how hard it is to run a restaurant while being a friend with a rat. Collette starts off more as a tough cookie, but as she teaches Linguini more about the staff and kitchen production, she does grow a soft spot for him and becomes a great mentor for cooking. Although, she and Linguini really didn't need to be a couple, they could have just been friends. Remi's dad is a bit crabby, but he's just a leader of a rat family looking out for what's best for him, his sons, and the rest. Oh, and Emile is so charming. Skinner is menacing at times but is also kind of a second rate chef, and the other cooks have their moments but aren't as explored as much as they could be.
And then there's the movie's antagonist, Anton Ego, played extraordinarily by Peter O'Toole. As a snobby critic who really takes cooking seriously, he had always loathed the idea from Jean Gusteau (Remi's idol and former owner of Gusteau's restaurant) that anyone can cook, but by the end of the film, not only does the meal he's given prove just how delicious the average piece of junk may be, but the review he writes is beyond words. I'm not kidding when I say that the review he gives is one of my favorite reviews, and it basically states that as much as it's fun to be cynical, we mustn't always let our bias get the best of us, because there's a good chance that something we may not care for is probably more meaningful than we think.
Overall, Ratatouille to this day remains my personal favorite Pixar movie. Sure not all of the characters are fully explored and it's not without it's clichés, but the phenomenal animation, expansive knowledge of cooking, lovable main leads and antagonist, humor, tribute to Paris, and review really make this movie a special treat for me. If you love Pixar, please give this movie another look. It may seem like a silly idea, but just like trying exotic French food, it's always fun to be adventurous, especially when wanting to be a great artist like a rat who loves to cook.