A Great Animated Story, Well deserved rating

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2007)

When I first had heard about Ratatouille, I knew I had at least wanted to see it, but whether that meant in theaters or to wait for it on DVD, I was not so sure (I was not going to go out of my way just to see this film). I was definitely not as excited about this movie as I was for previous Pixar films.
Well, an opportunity had come for me to go see it with a friend of mine and we chose to see at a matinée time, which not only meant cheaper tickets but also the pleasure of watching an animated film with a theater full of families and their little children.
First, the animation of the film was as good as ever for Pixar films. The stylization of the characters really adds to the experience as a whole, as it helps to immerse the viewer into the film.
Second, the voice acting of the film is really tremendous. I felt that each of the characters had their own voice that were unique and real. The voices weren't forced upon me as celebrity voices (as what happens in other movies such as Shrek and some of Pixar's other movies {Toy Story, Monster, Inc., etc.})
But, it is the story that really makes this film. If you think about it, this film is closer to a two-hour film than most of Pixar's other animated films ( The Incredibles and Cars run about the same time as well). Yet, despite what I think can be a long running time for an animated film, I never got that feeling that I do with some films, which is "When is this film going to end?" or the occasional muttering to myself, "This movie needs to get to the point." The story hooks you in from the beginning and never lets you drop throughout the entire film. The ending is highly satisfying, not disappointing, what I consider to be a perfect ending, and leaves you walking out of the theater repeating, "That was a good film."
All in all, Ratatouille is a superbly animated film with tremendous voice acting and a story that hooks you to beginning to end. I loved it, my girlfriend's mom loved it, and all the children I saw loved it as well. It is a film for all ages and one that will leave a lasting impression.
While I don't consider this film to be as meaningful nor epic as films like "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Godfather", "Ratatouille" is in a different genre and as such it seems to be the top of its genre, bar-none. It is my favorite Pixar film to date and I can't wait to buy it when it comes out on DVD. With that it deserves the 10 out of 10 stars.