Ratatouille

Two years ago Brad Bird made my favourite film of the year, it was an animated film called The Incredibles, his first film for animation giants Pixar, and barring some extraordinary films passing my way in the next two months, he’s gone and done it again with Ratatouille. The film began life under director Jan Pinkava before Brad was brought on board, normally this is cause for concern, but somehow Bird and Pixar reached deep down and pulled out their A-game. This truly is a magnificent film, funny, touching, absolutely gorgeous to look at and full of heart. What Bird is so good at is working on many levels, all Pixar films have this and it’s what makes them so special. No other production company in recent memory, aside from maybe Studio Ghibli, has produced such a diverse, and high quality series of films and seemingly they just keep getting better, the fact that they churn these masterpieces out at a rate of one a year just makes the films more astonishing. Remy (Patten Oswalt) is a rat that dreams of bigger things than simply eating garbage. He longs to be a chef and loves food. Sure enough when the chance comes he teams up with hapless garbage boy Linguini at Paris’s most famous restaurant and gets a chance to shine. The way that this unusual premise is built upon and established is great, it feels natural and that’s no mean feat when the mere idea of a rat in the kitchen is enough to put most people off their food. Remy himself is a great character, astute, ambitious and torn between his calling and his nature, once again the people (and the rats) of the world feel completely real, there is nothing artificial about them and once again the subtle bits of animation convey so much without the need for words. People always talk about animated films being for kids but there is much here for everyone to enjoy, the deeper meanings of the story and the lavish attention to detail appeal to cinema lovers of all ages, it is obvious that Bird practices what he preaches; the love care and attention are worth it for quality. There is no settling for second best and this striving for greatness is what fuels the film, its message that greatness can come from anywhere is surprisingly heartfelt and a great call to arms for creative people anywhere. The simple act of putting yourself out there and chasing your dreams is celebrated here, a heady message for an animated film about talking rats. As usual the animation is peerless, Pixar have become so accomplished so talented that they make it looks easy. In fact the animation fades into the background, not because it isn’t good, but because it’s so good that you forget about it, you become engrossed in the story and the characters and the fact that they only exist in a computer escapes your mind. This is a living breathing film and on a technical level it amazes, but on an emotional level it accomplishes something else entirely. Paris has never looked so inviting, food is rendered to look mouth-watering and there is seemingly nothing these guys can’t do. There are so many thing I could talk about relating to the film, but I don’t want to spoil it, least of all the hilarious short film that accompanies it beforehand. This is a film best discovered knowing as little as possible, a film that feels fresh and original and in the current cinematic climate that in itself is something to be proud of. I’m sorry if this review sounds like gushing but there is nothing more I can do. This is one of those films that leaves you on a high, reminds you of the magic of cinema and that you keep revisiting for days afterwards. Like the perfect meal Ratatouille somehow mixes all the right ingredients and creates something truly special. This may well be Pixar’s best film, and one I know I will savour and cherish for years to come. A masterclass in storytelling, animation as well as an entertaining and heartfelt ode to creativity, passions and the talent that is uncovered from the most unlikely of places. The best film of the year and yet another reason why Pixar remain one of cinemas greatest treasures.