Ratatouille

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s something truly special about Pixar’s Ratatouille. Released in 2007 and directed by Brad Bird, this film is a feast for both the eyes and the soul. The title itself is a clever little wink — on one hand, it’s the name of a classic French vegetable stew at the heart of the story. On the other, you’ll notice a not-so-subtle nod to the “rat” in the spotlight.

At its heart, Ratatouille tells the story of Remy, a rat with an extraordinary sense of smell and a deep passion for fine cuisine. Despite his humble life scavenging with his family, Remy dreams of something greater. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he ends up in the bustling kitchen of Gusteau’s, a once-famous Parisian restaurant. There, he meets Linguini, a clumsy new garbage boy who is secretly the son of the late Chef Gusteau. However, Linguini knows nothing about cooking.

When Linguini accidentally receives praise for a soup that Remy secretly prepared, he is suddenly promoted to cook and must prove himself in the kitchen. This marks the beginning of an unlikely partnership. Hidden beneath Linguini’s chef hat, Remy takes charge of the cooking, cleverly guiding Linguini by tugging on his hair to control his movements. Together, they create culinary masterpieces, with Linguini as the face of their dishes and Remy as the true genius behind them.

The animation itself is simply gorgeous. Remy is so expressive, from his twitchy pink nose to his bright, enthusiastic eyes and nimble little paws. You can almost feel his excitement and anxiety. Patton Oswalt voices Remy, giving him both warmth and an endearing nervous energy. Linguini, tall and awkward with a heart of gold, is brought to life by Lou Romano’s lively performance. And then there’s Anton Ego, the imposing food critic voiced by the legendary Peter O’Toole — his presence in every scene is mesmerizing.

It’s no surprise that Ratatouille was a box office hit, bringing in over $623 million worldwide. The film charmed critics and families alike with its beautiful imagery, sharp writing, and a musical score that makes you want to run off to Paris. During awards season, it rightfully claimed the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and picked up plenty of other honors.

I absolutely loved this movie. From the heartfelt message to the stunning animation, every part of it is a joy to experience. It’s the kind of film that stays with you and deserves to be watched over and over again.

Frank Gaimari is an author and film reviewer in Seattle, where he lives with his husband and their two golden retrievers. You can learn more about his work at http://www.FrankGaimari.com.