But Only the Fearless

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2007)

Uneven, imperfect, illogical (so are all the other Pixar film subjects), and formulaic, but you forget all that as you are quite literally swept into a satisfying conclusion to a fable on the art and business of cooking. Ratatouille resonates in true Pixar style. Don't be surprised if it earns a bushel of nominations and quite possibly a Best Director award (or two).
If Peter O'Toole deserves accolades for his voice characterization, Ian Holm must have been a joy to watch in the recording booth, and at a distance. And twice in the film Brad Garrett had tears coming out of my eyes within a matter of seconds.
I don't know whether to be impressed with, or seriously creeped out by, the staggering photo-reality of Pixar's animation. Way down among the end credits was a "100% Animation" logo, "No Motion Capture Was Used In The Making Of This Film" or some such. That may have been an inside joke, but starting with The Incredibles I'm convinced Pixar's aiming to make its movies look like—movies!
In this light, I've seen rats up close and personal (don't ask). A rat swarm evokes the most primal of responses, and a wet rat is not in need of compassion. You favor your kids by instructing them after the matinée that these particular rodents are not overgrown field mice, truly don't look or behave like Remy or Emile or talk like Brian Dennehy, and should absolutely not be fed from the hand or even at the end of a very long stick.
I'm past the point of feeling compelled to categorize each Pixar flick as better or worse than its kith, for each manages to be unique regardless, and all pretty much transcend the medium. Suffice it to say some make me laugh louder than a screen full of humans manages to.
But it isn't about the rodents. And that's the trick, folks: It's all fun in the telling.