The story seems like a simple one. A rat named Remy (Patton Oswalt) living in the country outside of Paris has discovered that he wants something more than a life of stealing and eating garbage, and his highly developed sense of smell could prove to be his way out of his current lifestyle. Following an incident that chases Remy and the rest of the clan out of their country abode, Remy finds himself separated from his friends and family. At first, he is scared and unsure of what to do, but his love of food, cooking, and Chef Gusteau gives him hope, particularly when the lonely rat visualizes Gusteau as someone to talk to and get inspiration from. This leads to his meeting with Linguini, a nervous garbage boy with cooking aspirations.
Together, Remy and Linguini navigate a relationship that, if exposed, would prove to be rather detrimental to both of their livelihoods. So, with Remy's gourmet cooking skills, and Linguini's human appearance, they form a cooking powerhouse that takes the cooking world by storm while they break down the barriers that exist between their two species.
The movie is so much more than a "rat that can cook" story. There is a moment early on when Remy's brother, Emile (Peter Sohn) asks him about why he goes into the house, and the dangers of humans. Remy responds with something along the lines of "Look at what they can do, what they can create." I do not remember the exact words, but it had an effect on throughout. The scene gives this wonderfully optimistic outlook that pervades the rest of the film. It is only strengthened later on with a scene between Remy and his father where Remy says that it only takes one person to begin change. Combine that with Chef Gusteau's quote, "Anyone can cook," and you have the core of this movie. You can do what you put your mind to. It is a great story of friendship that has gravity and a sense of the real world it. Sure, Remy can move Linguini around like a marionette, but I am allowed to give up that conceit as it works quite well.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
DO NOT BUY THIS! Sorry, but this film deserves the brilliant deluxe treatment Pixar has delivered on its other releases, and the only way to vote is with your wallet. I suggest everyone ignore CB this week and make a stand. Hold out rather than bend over and take it the shorts from the studios again. Surely there's enough to watch and listen to that you can go without a mediocre Ratatouille DVD sitting on a shelf in your library. Otherwise, you will double dip when the deluxe version comes in the near future, and come it will.
No retreat, no surrender; that is Spartan law.
2 - Mat Brewster
Don't seek your vengeance on me ElB, but I already bought Ratatouille. In my defense it was a bootleg screener so I highly doubt Disney say a dime from it.
So keep those spartans at bay.
3 - Chris Beaumont
Considering the stellar AV quality I have read about, plus the sheer excellence of the movie, I have no problem adding this to my collection. Would I have preferred a big deluxe edition (with better cover art)? Sure, but I find that for as much as I love extras I rarely get to all of them.
You can get some more info regarding the lack of special editions (which began last year with Cars) here.