by David Huff

Created on: July 18, 2007

Pixar has set the standard for CGI films from the beginning. I'm a huge fan. I'm the sort of person who almost wrote rave reviews about each film before I actually saw it. However, their last film, Cars, was really a letdown for me. It was good, but it wasn't on the high level that previous Pixar flicks had been. Previous to that, the only one that I really felt had been sub-par was the still well-executed A Bug's Life.

But Cars worried me. I was afraid that Pixar might have lost their touch, dropping such a bomb after the excellent Incredibles.

All of my fears were gone as soon as I saw the opening short, a brilliant, demented little number called Lifted about an alien in training attempting his first abduction. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

Something you must understand is that I am not a fan of CGI cartoons. The medium is largely overused and overrated and underdeveloped. Many big-budget animated films of this type are too slick-looking, or artificial. Few manage to capture the feel and texture of traditional animation.

This is one of the few. Ratatouille has a warmth and softness about it that I have never seen in CGI. I didn't even know it was something possible to achieve in CGI. It's really made me reconsider 3-D as an art form.

Brad Bird is turning out to be the Steven Spielberg of Pixar. He's brought us what could be one of the best films of the year, and what is certainly the best animated film of the year. Period. I don't care what else is coming out later in the year, but Ratatouille is better.

The film is perfect from start to finish. The art style suits the tone of the story, the characters convey emotions and look cartoony enough with lots of slapstick squash and stretch, but still manage to be believable and somehow realistic in appearance.

The story is anything but predictable. You never see what's coming until the pie hits you in the face. The plot is wonderfully nuanced, but simple and understated, especially in comparison to the scale of some of Pixar's previous efforts.

The voice acting was superb. The actors simply melted into their characters. I never really thought about actors or anything besides the story.

I haven't enjoyed any movie this much since... Well, since Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End, which was enjoyable but had buckets of problems. Problems that Ratatouille is blissfully free of.

All of Pixar's films have had elements of humor and situations meant to appease the parents of the children or the teenagers who want to see the movie. This was in reverse from that: The movie was aimed at a teenaged/adult audience and also had appeal for small children. There will be some who have not seen an animated feature in years who will love this movie. If you've lost faith in cartoons and animated films, this movie will change your mind.

Make sure you see this 5-star film, an exquisite blending of creamy visuals, spicy dialogue with fine writing, and savory presentation. My compliments to the chef, Monsieur Bird. You'll come away from the table begging for more.

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