Ratatouille is a charming animated feature that people both young and old will enjoy.
Set in a visually stunning Paris, the movie is worth the scenery alone. Animation fans as well as the general public can appreciate this lighthearted romp from the big city and its many cafes and great restaurants, and to the French countryside where we meet our rat(tatoulle).
Named after an underrated dish involving eggplant, Ratatouille is about a rat named Remy voiced by the charming and talented comedian, Patton Oswalt. Patton does a fantastic job and is a welcome departure from big names who do sub par voices for animated features to supplement their already bulging wallets. His vocal rat stylings make you forget that this is a rat we’re dealing with, not a top-notch stand up comedian. Other notable talent are Peter O’Toole, Lou Romano, James Renmar, and Janeane Garofalo.
Remy the rat has seen better days. Inspired to become a great cook by Chef Gusteau’s tome “Anyone Can Cook”, our rodent protagonist has only one small problem: well, himself. A rat isn’t exactly welcome in most kitchens, especially those commercial operations subjected to regular visits by the health inspector, not to mention food critic Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole).
By befriending a lowly young garbage boy, Linguine (Lou Romano), who is actually the son of the late, great Gusteau, Remy is able to live out his dream of becoming a chef from atop the boy’s head. Giving direction from within his chef hat, our ratty hero has the boy do what he cannot, at least not in public! With help from another chef, Colette (Garofalo) and a motley crew of sous-chefs, Remy and Linguini rise to the top of their game at the restaurant, with all-too-predictable disastrous results. Still, it’s fun to go along for the ride, although this reviewer, for one, could never trap or otherwise hurt a rat after seeing this film!
In his struggles to get around this obstacle, Ratatouille teaches us that it’s not what you do, it’s how well you do it, and who you are is not necessarily what you do. Furthermore, one should not be limited in life by little setbacks, such as being born a rat. Remember that, kids, and stay in school! Now as for any chefs out there aspiring to become rats, well, there may be some minor difficulties…