My compliments to the chef

Rating: 9/10 (12 July 2007)

Fog settles along the bank of the Seine River in Paris. The street lights have an eerie, romantic aura about them. A young man scurries down the steps towards the river's edge from his bicycle, looking over his shoulder every which way to see if anyone is around. With him is Remy who will soon be at the bottom of the river. He approaches the edge, ready to dispose of the innocent victim. By the way, Remy is a rat.
The latest Disney/Pixar collaboration Ratatouille brings us through the streets of Paris and into the kitchen of what was once a five star restaurant. This witty and wonderfully put together animated feature is just another astounding accomplishment by the creators and animators who brought us Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles.
We find ourselves following Remy, a Parisian rat whose taste buds are not satisfied with the everyday apple core and pizza crusts. His unique ability to create delectable treats that even a human can't resist ends up having him separated from his friends and family, but brings him to the kitchen of one of the most respectable restaurants in all of Paris.
After sneaking into the kitchen, Remy rescues a sauce that has been ruined by Linguini accidentally and has the customers in an uproar about how delicious it is. Remy, after being spotted, is taken out by Linguini who must dispose of him but can't after figuring out that Remy can understand him. Linguini realizes that this rat has made the soup and must come up with a way of recreating the soup and keeping Remy a secret.
The two must join forces in winning over the chefs, the customers, and the critics in order to keep the restaurant in business and to keep Remy alive. Remy figures out a way of manipulating Linguini's movements to prepare the food and keeping himself out of sight.
Since Toy Story's release in 1995, every film since then has been a step up in the advancements that have taken place in the production of these films. The quality of the animation and the attention to detail is unbelievable. Every shot and every movement is a carefully drawn out plan with many levels. There is the lighting, the action on screen, the movement of the camera, sounds, and a wide spectrum of minute things that we don't even notice but are essential in creating a scene.
Take for instance the city itself. The film mainly takes place in the kitchen, where Remy's family lives, and where Linguini lives. All of the in between scenes that are only on screen for a few seconds give the film this grand scope. The Eifel Tower is a a prominent piece of the Paris skyline. But the lights and cars and trees that surround it give it much more depth.
One thing that has made all of these films successful are the ingenious stories and their characters. The writing for all of these films has always been solid and in tune with the message that is trying to be sent with each story. The glue that holds the story together is certainly the characters. The cast of voices include Patton Oswalt, Brad Garrett, Ian Holm, Brian Dennehey, Peter O'Toole, and a host of amazing voice actors who bring to life these lovable and at times characters. Pixels become actors.
Anyone can cook. That is the motto of the great chef Gusteau. But what this really means is anyone can do anything. Even if all of the odds are against you like a rat trying to be a five star chef, you can do it. The film is easy to understand but it works for all ages. There is something here that everyone can enjoy. That is why these films have worked for so long. They make an impact on all age groups.
You don't have to be a food connoisseur to appreciate Ratatouille. Even if you have never had ratatouille in your life, this movie will go down smooth and easy, filling you up with satisfaction and delight.