A Five-Star Menu

So the other day Mom, our homestay student, and I went out to the theatre to see the latest from that wonderful team of animation geniuses at Pixar: Ratatouille.

First off, there was some beautiful animation in this film. The food looked good enough to eat (which I'm sure they were aiming for) and the environments were very well designed. Probably the best example of this second point comes during a night-time scene by the river; the gentle fog that permeates the image *looks like real fog* and not just a filter stuck on after the fact. The animation is also given a couple showboats in the chase sequences, including one where Remy the rat is trying to escape the kitchen (the first time he's in one) while dodging various dangers and obstacles.

Second, the story is just fun. The idea that a rat can become a cook, enlisting the help of a young bottom-rung restaurant employee and vice-versa (you'll understand when you see the movie), is a concept that deserves an equally imaginative plot--and it gets it. Possibly the one aspect that doesn't work quite as well as hoped is the narration. It's sort of scattered and pops up at unexpected moments throughout the film, giving the impression that it's only there to fill in plot points they couldn't figure out how to get across any other way. Another thing that bugged me was that, while the kitchen staff sounded like really interesting characters, they weren't worked into the story more--but that one's more due to personal taste and curiousity rather than the filmmaker's failing to do what they intended. I don't think those people were ever meant to be anything more than background to begin with, so it's not that great a sin.

All in all, a good piece of entertainment that really is fun for the whole family (which, by definition, includes adults). But then, what else can you expect from Brad Bird--the director responsible for The Incredibles?

Maybe not quite five stars, but certainly four-and-a-half, which is close enough.

Be seeing you,
Steven