Ratatouille (Rat-a-too-ee)

Ratatouille est délicieux!

I really can't recall the last time I watched something so simultaneously hilarious and heart-warming. Sure, I may be a bit biased since I happen to love all Disney Pixar movies, but I really did find this quite enjoyable.

Even before the movie started, I was already in tears. Their trademark shorts are definitely pure genius. This short, titled "Lifted," revolves around a young alien who must demonstrate to a scrutinizing instructor his less-than-adept skills at a task (situation sound a bit familiar?), which is in this case abducting humans. Pure humor ensues that is really just spontaneous and fun, and even though at second glance, the humor is simple and even childish, Pixar really manages to pull it off and prove once again that sometimes, combined with the idea that life is man's greatest joke, some things never get old.

As for the feature presentation, I have not found a movie this delightful in ages. A story about a rat (Remy) who wants to be a chef is eccentric enough, but throw in an awkward, talentless boy (Alfredo Linguini... really) who needs the rat's help to cook and a creepy man (Skinner) and his determination to take over Chef Auguste Gusteau's famous restaurant, and you've got one crazy comedy with plenty of mishaps and chases to keep the audience entertained for a while. A tough female chef (Colette) and Remy's brother (Emile) appear as well, which helps keep things even more interesting. Also, since a lot of the humor is quite physical (ex: getting hit with a pan), you can keep your brain on summer mode and still enjoy it (which I would say makes it great for younger ones).

It's not just random humor though, and like all Disney Pixar movies there is always some underlying message, which is in this case, that one may pursue and become something regardless of where he or she comes from, something that really hits home when the restaurant is challenged once again by the harsh critic Anton Ego (who realized that he failed to put it out of business despite his first review).

Even from an artistic point of view, I thought that the animation was fluid and absolutely gorgeous. Kudos goes to the wonderful animators at Pixar, who accomplish new things with every movie.

Anyway, it really is quite heartfelt, and I highly recommend it. It's great for everyone! While I was there, the kids really seemed to enjoy it, and there were plenty of adults laughing their bums off too (which was actually sort of funny in itself). So go watch it. Even if you don't enjoy it, I guarantee you'll have plenty of laughs.

To sum it up, Ratatouille is simply delectable.

Rating: 5/5

Picture copyright (c) Disney Pixar.