StoryTaker Summary: The other nominess for 2007's best animated feature film must not have been that great then. Despite a promising premise that had the makings of a classic story, the story itself isn't consistent with it's internal logic. This leads to some frustrating and inexplicable moments and contrivances and makes you wonder what exactly the movie's message is. Wonder if the character of Ego made critics afraid of being someone like that. The movie is still enjoyable with some good humour, and a love for food. _____________________________________________________________________Although I wasn't too interested in the first few minutes, that changed once the 'imaginary' Gusteau showed up. Coupled with the atmosphere and the premise of a 'ghost' helping a rat and his grandson help each other, I thought it had the promise of becoming quite a classic. However, the inconsistency of the plot with the internal logic of that world led to some really annoying scenes and contrivances. I did however really like the humour and the kitchen dynamics etc until Linguini becomes the owner. My four main issues are - everyone calmly accepting everything Linguini says about rats, Linguini & Colette suddenly being in love, Linguini freaking out over Remy 'stealing' food from a restaurant Linguini owns thanks only to Remy's work and finally, and ambiguous (at best) message. Despite this being a world where humans have no reason to believe rats can understand them or have any form of intelligence, it does make sense for Linguini to accept it, and it is clear that wasn't an easy feat. However people later on just calmly accept this, instead of questioning Linguini's sanity. Why would Skinner even think the rat was of any importance? A more logical conclusion for them would have been that Linguini is this eccentric chef genius who believes he needs a rat on his head to do his best. That scene where all of Linguini's staff walk out on him, I thought it was because they decided he was off his mind. But . . . they just didn't want to work under a rat? Colette only returns because she remembers 'Anyone can cook', after all. And later Ego also simply accepts this instead of throwing up, on realising his food was somehow made by rats.Where on earth did the romance come from? They didn't even spend much time together until then?I simply didn't get the scene where Linguini flips out when Remy 'steals' food from his restaurant. Linguini owed everything he had to Remy. The restaurant might as well be Remy's. I guess they were going for a Linguini getting over-confident and later regretting it arc. Not only is that overly cliché, it is very lazily executed. Finally, what exactly is the movie's message? 'Anyone can cook'? Linguini sure can't. That humans are being speciesist to rats, and we should instead live in harmony? I really liked the good parts of the movie, which makes these annoying flaws all the more frustrating, as it prevents me from fully enjoying the movie.

eternalcreeds For me personally, this childhood gem is easily my favorite animated movie of all time. Such a simple and entertaining movie with complex themes of social class differences, irony, honesty, and hope. It surely has a long-lasting impact on everyone watching it. The music is amazing, the voice acting is incredible, the animation itself is fantastic. A movie about the struggle of adulthood reignited by the passion of childhood memories. I'd recommend this to anyone at any age. A big movie that shouldn't be missed.

janemccreight I've watched this movie a million times and it never fails to make me happy!! It's such a cute movie I don't know how anyone could write a negative review about it. Makes me warm and fuzzy inside, want to travel to Paris and fall in love haha. I even tried making ratatouille after watching this movie (it didn't turn out that good).

muvi-fan-73 When it comes to animated movies, the movies I like most are the ones which appeal to children as well as adults equally. This is second movie I have liked from director Brad Bird besides The incredibles. It is better than the incredibles. I like the story, a rat controlling a human and the critic's take in the given movie.Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: A rat losing his family along the sewers, becoming a chef, impressing a critic for what he is, also how Paris is projected from certain height, etcetera, everything has been captured well.Tone: Number one chef in Paris states that anyone can cook which really meant a person having the respected job can come from any part of society. Here the rat comes in as chef and even becomes most successful of them all. It is captured well.Music: Music is average.Final verdict: It is worth saving in your DVD collection.