Ratatouille (2007)

A TIMELESS MODERN CLASSIC

Pixar animated films often feature some unique quality to the sense of animation and the storytelling of the genre itself. The series of films has provided heartfelt characters, trustworthy friends and a new love for the artform that Walt Disney first capitalized on during the 19^th century. Every film with Pixar is new and thoughtful behind it, with a good script, great talents and an animation that belongs to families that cherish the way this studio has told their films. Often as these films are both dramatic, and funny and have characters that you can relate to in one way or the other. Here it doesn’t matter if it’s a car, fish or emotions or even talking toys that come alive when they’re alone.

The best part of the studios’ films is the animals as they provide a different project. Ratatouille proves that right as it combined both the human and the outcast life of rats, making the story feel somehow fulfilling more than other constructed stories. Most Pixar films are passionate, and so is this film. There’s some hard work behind the animation, the research, and the world the two directors want to share. It’s noticeable when the director cares or does not care about the story and the characters. The audience knows and that is noticeable even in this film. They cared about this French world about a rat who loves cooking.

It’s probably one of the best films Brad Bird has been involved with. Even if it’s from 2007, the animation is done good enough to make it work even now. Most games in 2022, don’t look this good. Hell, an animator with chef clothes jumped in the river in Paris, just to research the details on how his clothes would fold. The level of passionate research that Pixar and Brad Bird often bring to the project makes them the best out there.

Even if this film is a children’s film, it’s timeless and it’s funny with these ingredients combined. Linguini has an interesting development as the twist is that he’s dependable on the rat. But is conflicted with his emotions about his feelings for Collette and his neurotic boss Skinner. Even if this film has a love dove, in the end, it shines on an important relationship in how humans treat animals. Even then and even now. The voice-casting fascinatingly fits the characters that it would be a different film if it was cast otherwise. Remy, the rat, doesn’t evolve that much perhaps but his action makes everyone else do, which is interesting.

Then we have the French atmospheric city landscape of Paris that hasn’t been more beautiful and with the details of the animated food that makes it come alive just like the grandeur soundtrack that makes this world even more appealing and adventurous. It’s a bold move and it works.

Oui, c’est trés bien.