Ratatouille

Our next entry in “Disney’s Pixar Month” is the 2007 film, “Ratatouille.”

Roger Ebert started his review out by saying, “A lot of animated movies have inspired sequels, notably "Shrek," but Brad Bird's "Ratatouille" is the first one that made me positively desire one. Remy, the earnest little rat who is its hero, is such a lovable, determined, gifted rodent that I want to know happens to him next, now that he has conquered the summit of French cuisine. I think running for office might not be beyond his reach, and there's certainly something de Gaullean about his snout.”

Ebert went on to say, “Remy is a member of a large family of rats (a horde, I think, is the word) who ply the trash cans and sewers of a Parisian suburb, just like good rats should.” “Eat your garbage!” is what Remy’s father, Django, voiced by Brian Dennehy, demands, obviously a caring parent. The rats are expelled from their comfortable home in a cottage-kitchen ceiling at a part that will have rat exterminators in the audience cringing (and who out there will not admit that they loath rats?), and they are chased through the sewers in a severe flood. Fans of the musical Les Miserables will remember the part when the protagonist Jean Valjean found the Seine because he knew that every sewer has to run downhill toward it, and definitely Remy washes up near the river, where the most famous restaurant in tout le France is seen. Ebert noted, “This is the establishment of Auguste Gusteau, author of the best-seller Anyone Can Cook, a title that might not go over very well in France, which is why the book appears to be in English, and might well be titled, Anyone Can Cook Better Than the English. (Famous British recipe: "Cook until gray.")”

Remy (comedian Patton Oswalt) has this talent of a superior taste and a sensitive nose, and now he starts creeping around the kitchen of Gusteau, his culinary idol (Brad Garrett). However, when the hideous food critic Anton Ego (the late Peter O’Toole) as Ebert puts it: “issues a scathing indictment of Gusteau's recent cooking, the chef dies in a paroxysm of grief or perhaps it is not a paroxysm, but I like the word,” and the kitchen is handed over to the sobbing Skinner (Ian Holm). To dig even deeper, Gusteau’s “nephew” Linguini, voiced by Lou Romano, who has to be hired, but is hired with the inferior job of plongeur – literally, a busboy, who washes dishes in soapy water.

Linguini and Remy meet, somehow giving trust and communication, and when Linguini gets credit for a soup that Remy made with the right ingredients, they become a duo. Ebert said, “Remy burrows into Linguini's hair, is concealed by his toque, can see through its transparent sides and controls Linguini by pulling on his hair as if each tuft were a joystick.” Together, they surprise Paris with their amazing cooking.

All of this starts as a questioning idea and ends as a success of animation, comedy, imagination and, you guessed it, humanity. What is the greatest trait of Remy is his restraint and reserve, even for a rat. He has body language that’s really expressive that so many people would die for it. Ebert noted, “Many animated characters seem to communicate with semaphores, but Remy has a repertory of tiny French hand gestures, shrugs and physical expressiveness.” Does any other place around the world move a finger in so many ways and an eyebrow less than an inch while saying something as difficult as, “I would do anything for you, monsieur, but as you see, I have only two hands, and these times we live in do not permit me the luxury of fulfilling such requests.”

Brad Bird and his executive producer, John Lasseter, have officially taken over the control in the animation department currently. Yes, Bird made “The Incredibles,” but the one that became underrated was his wonderful “The Iron Giant,” where a gigantic robot was as intelligent, gentle and touching as Remy. The way he pays attention to detail is fascinating. Ebert said, “Every prop and utensil and spice and ingredient in the kitchen is almost tangible, and I for one would never turn off the Food Channel if Remy hosted a program named "Any Rat Can Cook."”

This was definitely one of 2007’s best films. Every time an animated film hits a home run, you have to look it over again about how animation isn’t “just for children” but “for the whole family,” and “even adults going on their own.” That is no lie!

I definitely say to check this movie out. After seeing this, you will want to learn from Remy and become a cook. The way you see the attention given towards cooking, you will be inspired to learn how to cook, even those who have never cooked before. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Everyone needs to learn how to cook, it’s actually something that will help you in the long run. When you are watching all the “Pixar” movies, definitely don’t miss this one.

Now, look out tomorrow because I will be seeing one of my most anticipated films that I have wanted to watch for some time now. Tomorrow night the review will be up. Also, be sure to stay tuned Thursday for a look at one of the best films “Pixar” made for “Disney’s Pixar Month.”