A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

The Evaluation System Reviews by Title Reviews by Date

Reviews from Video Reviews of the Classics Personal Background

Title: Ratatouille

Date Viewed: 7/1/07

Details:

Voice talent: Patton Oswalt (Remy)

Ian Holm (Skinner)

Lou Romano (Linguini)

Brian Dennehy (Django)

Peter Sohn (Emile)

Peter O'Toole (Anton Ego)

Brad Garrett (Gusteau)

Janeane Garofalo (Colette)

Screenplay & directed by: Brad Bird

Score: +

The Review: You think you know what the title means, but you're probably wrong on at least two counts.

Pixar has done it again -- created a critter-centric animated comedy with believable characters, stunning graphic renditions and excellent voice talent. You might initially balk at putting the concepts "rats" and "haute cuisine" together, let alone in the context of stereotypical French gastronomy, but be patient -- for about 30 seconds -- and you will be rewarded.

Remy (voiced by newcomer Oswalt) is a French country rat who dreams the very biggest of dreams -- not only to cook, but to cook in the company of the great 5-star Chef Gusteau. He has synesthesia of the highest order, visualizing flavor, texture and aromatic combinations that his fellow rats cannot even begin to comprehend (let alone some of the audience). Separated from his colony and on his own in Paris, he starts to make his wish come true -- in an odd collaboration with an inept garbage boy (Romano) in the deprecated kitchens of the downgraded Café Gusteau, now run by a slimy shrimp of a culinary dictator (Sohn).

It works -- in no small part because of the magic of Pixar graphics and the clever sense of humor of the Pixar writers. And how often do you see (hear?, visualize?) voice talent like Ian Holm, Brian Dennehy and Peter O'Toole in the same film with Janeane Garofalo and Lou Romano?

From a curious "bumper sticker" you might notice at the end of the trailing credits -- buried in with shields & seals of ASCAP, AFL-CIO and other such endorsements and merit badges -- it looks like the "animation wars" are about to start. Pixar claims: "100% animated; no motion capture." (A clear comment on the making of The Polar Express.) Hoorah! -- let the competition begin.

(3-Jul-07)

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