Ratatouille

Brad Bird may be one of the few animated filmmakers working today who understands what the concept of a “family film” means. It’s something that offers material to viewers of all ages and doesn’t lose one group by catering too strongly to another.

“Ratatouille” is a film brave enough to move at a slower pace; even its later moments of comical chaos have something of a refreshing patience to them. This is the third Pixar feature in a row with a running time that bumps rather close against the two hour mark, and how brave of them to realize that children do not need digest adventures thrown at them at the cost of character and story. Kids will indeed sit still for that long if the story’s right – and of course the story is right.

At nearly two hours in length, it rewards those with patience, regardless of age. The movie wisely saves its best and most impressive set pieces for the second half, whether they’re the chase or the sight of hundreds of rats invading a restaurant kitchen. And, while Ratatouille isn’t specifically about the love of food, that’s another ingredient Bird has stirred into the pot.

“Ratatouille” is clearly one of the best of the year’s films. Every time an animated film is successful, you have to read all over again about how animation isn’t “just for children” but “for the whole family,” and “even for adults going on their own.”