Remy was the unlikely hero of Pixar canon, who taught us that our only limit is our soul. “Ratatouille” was able to demonstrate the impact of food and its ability to relate to memories. The tossing of the spices when cooking, clanging of pots and pans, and the vibrant colors of the cuisine proved the well execution of the setting in the plot. Aside from these, the sound effects and calming music were suited to the French environment. Wine and cheese throughout the movie added to the feeling of fine dining. Remy, gifted with a fine palate, could describe the taste as the visual representations themselves looked very appealing. In words and in animation, you could almost taste the array of elegant Parisian meals in “Ratatouille”. Talking about what’s important, the food, looks delicious. Other characters, a fat legendary chef, a short and snappy restaurant owner, and a brooding critic, resembles much of their stereotypes fit for the French setting. Meanwhile, a rigid and powerful female had sharp actions and a confident voice. An awkward and clumsy garbage boy demonstrated very fluid movements, often seen scrambling when moving from one place to another. The motions of the characters matched to their corresponding personalities. Quirky personalities dominate the movie, with slapstick humor instead of pop culture comedy suitable for children and family viewing.
The zany idea of a rat, an animal considered to be a pest, determined to become a chef can be seen as ironic yet interesting to its audience. With a clever play on words, the “rat” in “Ratatouille” or utilizing Alfredo Linguini as a character name, this further adds to the charm of the film. He befriends Linguini, a garbage boy of Gusteau’s, and his culinary journey begins with Remy’s ability to control the boy’s arms to cook for the restaurant. Remy gets separated from the family and ends up in the streets of Paris, specifically the one next to his favorite chef Gusteau’s restaurant. His aspirations were not approved, for his family believes that as rats, all they should be eating are scraps. The plot begins with Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a chef, searching for food in a human’s home. “Ratatouille” did not have complex plotlines with tear-jerking scenes unlike many of Disney and Pixar films, but the movie was heartwarming. “Ratatouille” is a fantasy/coming of age animated film directed by Brad Bird, the same director for hit movies “The Incredibles” and “Tomorrowland”. Although it is a common storyline, the values, quirky personalities, and well-placed comedy, creates a perfect package for a family movie night. It employs a simple plot about a character wanting to reach his dreams but is obstructed by their exterior. His existence as a rat becomes his greatest obstacle in his culinary dreams. Voiced by Patton Oswalt, Remy, who is a rat. “Anyone can cook but only the fearless can be great.” The animated film “Ratatouille” produced by Pixar centers on the determined soul of Remy.