'Ratatouille' - A Movie Review

Get ready for a trip to France! We’re going to see all the sights, eat at the best restaurants, and we’ll be served to by a rat! Wait, what was that last detail?

Ratatouille was a 2007 Pixar film about a rat who has a passion to cook. Upon an unexpected journey, Remy friends Alfredo Linguini, a struggling human working as a garbage boy in the kitchen of the most famous Gusteau’s. Discovering tasteful secrets and an unlikely friendship, the pair are off on an unforgettable adventure.

No matter what, I always watch Ratatouille whenever I see it playing on my TV. It’s hypnotizing. The film is original and creative. Each character has their own unique personality and it is realistic. Of course, you won’t see a rat cooking in a kitchen. To me, its symbolism that nobody should ever doubt anybody based off on who they are.

Voice talents include Patton Oswalt (Remy), Ian Holm (Chef Skinner), Lou Romano (Linguini), Brad Garrett (Gusteau), Janeane Garofalo (Collette), the late Peter O’Toole (Anton Ego), and many other talents. Each character has so much depth. Especially Colette, one of my favorite (on the list of many) female characters in Pixar films.

I really like how the characters move onscreen. Nothing feels forced. All the mannerisms feel so real. You have to pause the film to catch all the humorous expressions. This film also wins at the best one-liners.

Ratatouille follows the eyes of a rat trying to find more of who he is. He constantly argues with his dad that he is more. His gift to cooking happens more by accident. I wonder what direction Remy would have taken had the events in the story not happened. That’s a fascinating detail to think about.

I always find myself salivating whenever I see the tasty meals in this movie. I love all the montages. The animation is so smooth and fresh. One of my favorite sequences has to be when Remy was creating the soup. It’s such a fun scene to watch. That and many others.

Once again, this is another film that encourages us all to travel more. Set in France audiences are spoiled with beautiful screenshots and locations of popular areas. Traveling helps us learn about the world and it's culture. Along with the many different foods.

This might be the source where I was first introduced to the world of reviewing. Anton Ego is a harsh critic. Aside from negativity, critics are writing about what they love. Criticism is tough. However, it is the most important set of words anyone could receive. Criticism helps us change. We improve. What do we learn if people keep giving us good reviews?

Ratatouille is such a warm film and has an encouraging atmosphere. The line "anybody can cook" is pivotal because it means that anyone can do anything. Don't let yourself or others bring you down. Everyone should follow the passion they love.

One criticism I do have about Ratatouille is the whole aspect of how Remy is able to control Linguini as a puppet just from his hair. Although it’s creative, it feels more random. Can everyone’s hair be controlled turning them into a puppet? Ratatouille takes the creative liberties it wants. It’s silly. And that’s what makes it a great film.

Ratatouille is a nostalgic adventure that I will never get tired of. The pacing is wonderful, especially a beginning that immediately sets you on your toes for the adventure. It’s an emotional film, too, but we don’t spend a lot of time regarding those aspects. Pixar always knows how to tug at our heartstrings.

If you have not seen Ratatouille yet I suggest that you do. It is such a fun and creative story with memorable characters to lead us on adventures. You’ll also find yourself craving the delicious meals served.