Ratatouille
This is a cartoon about a rat who can cook. It’s also an in depth allegory on finding one’s purpose in life, unconditional love and how it relates to the people close to us, and the eventual disillusion of the ego which leads to total spiritual creaminess. Ratatouille cuts us all a little slack and side steps the traditional origin story. The roots are there but this is so much more than a tired reskin of Star Wars with rodents. There’s a sweetness to the movie that you don’t see much of these days. The 3D and hand-animated characters (no motion capture) create a world you just wish you could live in. It’s a beautiful dreamlike hyper-reality and it’s set in Paris so what more could you want. it’ll take you through the entire spectrum of emotions without leaving you feeling like you were manipulated. It feels familiar but consistently surprises you with its subtleties and stereotypic restraint. It’s just so well thought out and clever.
This film is a masterpiece. Not a single detail was missed right down the the final credits. Go little rat and follow your bliss. Anyone can cook. Anyone can cook.