Slightly flawed, but one of the most original movies I have ever seen.

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 2010)

There are moments when I see a film when I am taken out of myself for a moment and caught up in the enjoyment of the moment. Ratatouille is one of those films. While its themes are relatively straightforward, the multitude of them and the unique way of which they are told is enthralling. It is not the funniest movie Pixar has come up with, but it plays out like a rich elegant 5 course meal. The animation is so vivid that you can taste the food that is being cooked. The movie does not cut corners by giving easy pay-offs to scenes, but allows the plot to develop organically. The only thing that keeps this from standing as the crowning achievement of Pixar repertoire is that it feels patchwork. It bites off more than it can chew. There are so many characters that you don't get to really know several ones that would have been good to have dwelt upon. There are so many themes interwoven together that they don't always coexist well. And some of the humor feels forced as a result. That being said, it is a wonderful and enchanting film that is a must see for all lovers of cinema.