C'est Magnifique!

THE GENIUS of Pixar is not merely its astounding technical expertise. No, what makes the company's films such rich viewing experiences is that its writers are as gifted as its illustrators. Just as the dazzling animation renders the movies' characters more lifelike than a lot of actual actors, so, too, do their storylines offer surprising depth and insight into the human condition. As a father, for example, I appreciate the difficulty in letting children find their own way, the central tenet of Finding Nemo. As someone once pretty damn uncomfortable in his own skin, I found The Incredibles' focus on individuality versus fitting in awfully familiar. In Pixar's latest gem, Ratatouille, the plot follows a gourmand rat from the French countryside to an upscale Parisian kitchen, where he assists a clueless dishwasher in creating culinary masterpieces. The underlying story, though, is about Remy's efforts to forge his own way, chase his own dreams, create his own life. While his family and friends would happily eat garbage and avoid humanity as much as possible, Remy prefers the road less traveled.

The film's production is, as expected, immaculate. Whether depicting the maze of labyrinthine passages that lay within walls or the delicate incredulity on a young man's face as he realizes that the impossible is actually happening, the animators have created a near-perfect piece of moving illustration. And while other animated features splurge on an orgy of celebrity voices, Pixar is masterful at choosing just the right actors, regardless of their status on the Hollywood totem pole, to vocalize its characters. Other producers would have chased Brad Pitt to voice Remy; Pixar went with Patton Oswalt. The rest of the cast is similarly spot-on.

This combination of technical mastery and perceptive writing makes for a completely winning dish. I'm no fan of eggplant, but I'd go for Ratatouille any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Rating: **** (of 5)

Comments

[Jeff Martin]

Well said, TD, and agreed. I assume the girl loved it as well?

[Tom Durso]

Actually, Jeff, she seemed more interested in the popcorn ...