Review: 'Ratatouille' tells delicious tale

Directed by: Brad Bird

Starring: (The voices of) Patton Oswald, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Brad Garrett, Janeane Garofalo, Peter O’Toole

Rated: G

When film historians look back, they will note 1995 as “Year One” of the first Golden Age of computer-animated features.

It was that year that new company Pixar released the groundbreaking, breathtaking “Toy Story.” While not every animated work to come along since has used that film’s 3-D, marionette-style look, even works that appear to be old school (the construction paper cutout characters of “South Park”) use computer rendering and modeling techniques, software and hardware.

But as critics and students of the cinematic arts are quick to point out, razzle-dazzle, no matter how stunning, generally isn’t enough to carry a film. It takes razzle-dazzle content as well: a compelling story, interesting characters, dramatic tension (and/or clever comedy), etc.

“Toy Story” had all of those elements – and indeed, the best animated films to come along since (“The Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) have all been great movies besides vehicles that pushed the boundaries of animation.

Writer/director Brad Bird has been involved with several of these films, as well as TV animation staples such as “The Simpsons” since 1990. With his latest film, “Ratatouille,” which he directed and co-wrote, Bird wows us yet again.

The animation – particularly things that are hard to make look realistic, such as moving liquids, hair and fur, and especially food – is jaw-dropping. But it’s the story at the heart of the film that is the real powerhouse.

Just a month ago, this column dealt with “Waitress,” one of the best films of the year and one in the ever-growing genre of “food films.” “Ratatouille” – and forget that it’s a “cartoon” – can rightfully take its place in the pantheon of great Epicurean epics such as “Chocolat,” “Big Night” and “Babette’s Feast.”

It’s hard to imagine a rat (even an animated one), food and cooking being a charming combination. But Remy, the rodentian main character in “Ratatouille,” will delight kids and charm adults from the film’s first frame.

Remy lives with his brother, his father – who is the king rat – and the rest of a large colony. By night they do what rodents do, namely scavenge for food. While most of the critters are more than content to eat any garbage they can find, Remy has developed quite a gourmet’s palate. He even watches the TV show of France’s most famous chef, Auguste Gusteau. Remy tries to share the wonders of fine dining with his brother and other rat pals, but the art of dining is lost on them.

His nose becomes so developed, though, that he is made the official food “smeller,” keeping poison-laden tidbits out of the others’ mouths.

Remy is devastated when he learns of Gusteau’s death, but elated when he finds that his pack has been living on the premises of the chef’s restaurant. Remy begins making routine visits to the kitchen against his dad’s wishes. The older, wiser rodent knows what happens when humans discover rats around their food.

Remy is undeterred, and when a hapless teen named Linguini is hired on as a “garbage boy,” things begin to escalate. Remy can’t resist spicing up a soup that is standard fare at Gusteau’s. Of course the head chef, who has designs on taking the restaurant for his own, thinks Linguini came up with the recipe and promotes him, albeit for all the wrong reasons.

Linguini discovers Remy, and while the rats in the film can speak to each other but not to humans, the rodent develops a system whereby he can guide the young would-be chef’s hands.

He directs Linguini in choosing and chopping ingredients for some dishes that make patrons and critics, as well as the other chefs, take notice.

As with every great tale, there is a love story in “Ratatouille,” besides Remy’s love of good food. Linguini is enamored with the sassy sous-chef, Colette, voiced by the sassy comedienne Janeane Garofalo. In one pivotal scene, Linguini attempts to tell Colette his secret, but Remy, in full control, prevents it. It’s a moment reminiscent of “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

Making a great cameo as the voice of food critic Anton Ego is veteran actor Peter O’Toole. Monsieur Ego is the epitome of critics: Those who can, do; those who can’t, write about others’ efforts.

Comedian Patton Oswald’s voice suits Remy perfectly, and the broad structure here is a classic example of responsibility to family juggled against what is in the character’s heart of hearts.

Bird succeeds in telling his tale with great skill and visual brilliance. “Ratatouille” is truly a film every member of the family is likely to love.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.