Once upon a time in Paris lived an adventurous and ambitious chef called Auguste Gusteau whose kitchen was well known for innovative cuisine. Auguste knew his strengths and worked on them, serving exquisite culinary creations which delighted his customers at the restaurant which bore his name. Gusteau became a legend all over the world.
But then something changed. For one reason or another the standard of his work dropped.
Gusteau died and his successors didn't have his panache or skill so the name of the great master was suddenly stamped upon average microwave meals and eventually the great name of Gusteau represented a cuisine that was completely unrelated to his worldwide legacy.
And while the ignorant masses were quite content to gulp down anything produced in a Gusteau tin, it looked like the master's name would become synomonous with garbage.
Enter a small rat called Remy (Patton Oswatt) with a nose for perfection and a passion for creative cooking.
In everyday circumstances this little rat would never be permitted into the great chef's kitchen. He's a smelly rat and likely to be poisoned and killed off before his outstanding talent receives the attention it deserves.
By chance, Remi meets Linguini (Lou Romano). An ungainly and awkward chap who works as the kitchen trash collector. This chap couldn't use a microwave if he tried. And yet when the rat climbs underneath the gawky chef's hat and starts directing him around the kitchen by tugging on his hair -something amazing happens.
Can this small rat with a huge imagination step into one of the world's most famous kitchens and win back its fame and glory?
With Remy's creative flair and Linguini's access to kitchen utensils and ingredients, a new Gusteau invention is just a matter of time.
Here, the tale starts to mirror the film Hudsucker Proxy, (Coen Brothers). Similarily, by underestimating a half-wit who works at a very low level, Skinner, the evil franchise owner (voice of Ian Holm) unintentionally threatens his money making industry.
When the half-wit serves up a delicious soup, it seems that the Paris paparazzi might just shine on Gusteau's once again. The reputation of Gusteau's will only be decided if Anton Ego, a notorious food critic, approves. But he is known for being extremely demanding and not easy to please.
This is a superb film and whether you are an adult or child I think you will embrace this film. If you like food and good movies then this is a special treat, a nourishing feast which will have you running back for an extra helping.
At one hour and fifty minutes long I think it may be a little long for some children and perhaps not hold their full attention. It is also probably a Pixar film that will win more adult fans than children.
I just want to mention the animation. I have always thought that Pixar's animation is of a very high standard but the animation in this movie is far superior and innovative than films like Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. What impressed me was the depth of the animation and the intensity of colour. The Paris sunrise was a splendid example of pure artistry and the dark reflections of the gushing stream as it washes the tiny rat away from his family of vermin illustrates that even the gutter can be viewed as beautiful through the eyes of an imaginative artist.
Surprisingly, Pixar still continue to create animated humans and Ratatouille introduces two shocking personalities - Skinner(Ian Holm|), the tiny head chef, and Anton Ego (Peter O'Toole), the long-legged food critic who has an attitude that matches his name. Both of these characters are compelling and grab your attention immediately. Ego, with his authoritative condescension and the posture of a vampire, deserves to be in the Disney Hall of Villains.
But for me, Linguini is the main man. He must be the most hesitant of Disney heroes since Bernard from The Rescuers. But what he lacks in the personality department he makes up for it in the dance routines. As he cooks, he glides and flounces around the kitchen like a vigorous marionette in the palms of a very lively puppeteer.
Remember, we are in Paris, the most romantic of cities and the exotic spice in this kitchen's casserole is the gorgeous and conscientious, Colette Tautou (Janeane Garofalo). A chef who expresses the difficulties of being a woman in a harsh and ruthless restaurant business.
Brad Bird is the director at the helm of this film and he is known for his storytelling but his animation here is exceptional.
We have come across many rodents on cinema screens but Remy is remarkable. Not only is he clever like most other rodents, he also has a passion for creating culinary masterpieces.
As he tries to save his fellow rodents from shamefully eating trash, he realises that it is difficult to teach class and good taste. Excellence is important to Remy and as we see him trying to influence and introduce new flavours to his friends we see an outburst of colour on screen - a sensory overload.
There is so much to enjoy in this film. I am sure that the movie will inspire food writers to create books about imaginative cuisine and good taste. It also gives critics a good kick up the backside and shows them for what they are - pompous, cynical, arrogant and condescending. Whilst the storytellers are urging us to set our standards high and to not eat rubbish they also remind us that criticism should come from a feeling of passion; we should acknowledge greatness, creativity and vision wherever we see it - whether it's from an unknown Estonian director at the Czech Film Festival, or from an American animator working for Disney.
I also thought that there was an underlying tale of Walt Disney - the man himself. The rise and fall of his empire. Every character introduced in the animation could relate to the different writers/directors of Disney and the fantastic culinary delights and culinary disasters could be seen as some of the masterpieces and failures that have come out of Disney studios.
My son told me that this was a brilliant film but I didn't think it would be this good. I think the subject matter is very ambitious for a full animated feature but Disney seemed to have pulled it off. The film has style and grace and is a great insight into how a kitchen works and the life of the restaurant industry.
So, next time you eat a plate of ratatouille, the rich vegetable stew from Provence, remember this Parisian tale from Disney.
This is the film that put Disney back on top. Like the clientele who are drawn into Remy's restaurant by his flavours and aromas, moviegoers will keep going back to Disney for extra helpings, so long as Brad Bird, is the head chef.
Running Time - I hour 50 minutes
Certification Uk - U