Magnifique!

Rating: 10/10 (17 June 2007)

Another spectacular entry from Pixar... and Brad Bird is 3 for 3 in my book. From a foodie point of view, they hit exactly upon the joy and excitement of invention and creation in a kitchen... not to mention the pure energy and atmosphere of a busy restaurant.
One of Bird's beliefs is that animation does not necessarily equal children's entertainment, and this is true here... I don't think Ratatouille is going to be the breakout children's movie that The Incredibles was. Don't get me wrong; I think kids will enjoy themselves. The pace is brisk and the humor continual. But there are so many layers to experience here... this movie will definitely bear up well through repeated viewings.
The visuals are tremendous, especially the views of a rat running through walls and underground. The music was also memorable, although there's no Randy Newman-ish lyrics here.
I recognized the name John Gilkey in the credits, and indeed the loose-limbed flailing of the young chef is reminiscent of Gilkey's physical comedy... although a 100% Animation disclaimer at the end of the movie stated that no motion capture was used. Still, i would have loved to be a fly on the wall the day Gilkey was modeling movement for Pixar's animators! (Gilkey was the lead comic figure in Cirque du Soleil's Qidam)
Even if you aren't a Francophile or foodie, you will surely enjoy this delectable morsel of film-making and storytelling. But if you dabble in the culinary arts, your experience will be all the better. Or perhaps you too might become inspired to "get fancy with the spices."