This is a smart movie in the same way a comedian is a genius. Its underrated and looked over like a juvenile. Any kid can sit down to this film and be completely taken by its simple story of love, determination, and discovery. In the film, Antono Ego, the food critic who lives in a lair somewhere at the top of a mile-high hotel or fancy Paris apartment building, comes to Gusteau’s where he hears its restored its honor and it’s living up to its name once again. When he enters he looks as thin as ever, and evil like a snake. The waiter sweats, trembles, and asks “Do you know what you’d like?” and Ego looks him in the eyes and says “I’d like some perspective.” Perspective is exactly what the film serves us, we See Remy the admirable Rat take refuge from persecution, alienation, and a bum-job as poison-checker, which is his home, in Chef Gusteau, his hero. Remy learns all he needs from Gusteau which is from what he see’s on the television, or he reads in Gusteau’s book “Anyone Can Cook”. So when we see Remy, we see a dreamer. He tragically is separated from his family and winds up where he always dreamed, Paris. “Although each of the world’s countries would like to dispute this fact, We French know the truth. The best food in the world is made in France. The best food in France is made in Paris. And the best food made in Paris, some say, is made by chef Auguste Gusteau.” Then there’s Linguini, the clumsy garbage boy, innocent and helpless. They need each other. Remy can cook and Linguini as he puts it “can appear… human”. Together they become something great, but soon they get rich and are overcome with dividing emotions as Linguini falls in love and Remy wants recognition for his cooking but he takes a back-seat as Linguini gets the credit and poses for the paparazzi. This all separates them, bad turns to worse and the ship doesn’t sink, it blows up. Remy is captured in a rat cage and Linguini is left all alone in the kitchen as Ego waits for his meal. The only way out of a hole is when someone pulls you out of it. Nothing is impossible even when everyone has been knocked down on their asses, the film repeatedly say’s so by the voice of Gusteau “Anyone Can Cook”, anything is possible. In the end, when the moon rises everyone must change, Remy must Rise, Ego must come down, Linguini must drop the charade and devote himself to loyalty and love. But none of this can be done alone. Is this a story about self-discovery or friendship, or does one need a friend to discover ones self?

Ratatouille is a film for anyone who has a ear to hear with, a eye to see with, and a heart to think with. We should admire the creative camera work done by animation. Clever and charming writing makes for a great film. Ratatouille always shows just enough and never too much, in a way Hithcock understood. The music is forceful and goes well with every image, it keeps afloat through out. The actors chosen were great and understood their roles in the story.