And while Pixar's output has been singularly wonderful (and wonderfully) varied, it is time to crown a clear victor in its demolition derby of excellence. That victor is "Ratatouille."
Now, part of understanding what makes "Ratatouille" such an accomplishment is knowing just how hard a film it was to produce. Development began in 2000, under the direction of Jan Pinkava, who had won an Oscar for his 1997 Pixar short film "Geri's Game" (you probably saw it ahead of "A Bug's Life"). But after characters and sets had been modeled, the story of the film reached and impasse and Pinkava was removed.
And the film really is a masterpiece.
On a subtext level, the fact that it's about the joys of creation and the occasionally equally joyous act of criticism, leaves a profound impact and clearly resonated with reviewers. A.O. Scott of the New York Times said that it was, "a nearly flawless piece of popular art, as well as one of the most persuasive portraits of an artist ever committed to film. It provides the kind of deep, transporting pleasure, at once simple and sophisticated, that movies at their best have always promised."
What few people have picked up on, too, is how autobiographical the film is. "Ratatouille" was made during one of the most contentious times in Disney's history, with Walt's nephew, Roy E. Disney, trying to wrestle control of the company away from embattled head Michael Eisner and return the studio to its prime. Pixar was caught in the middle, trying their best to make great art but also wanting a permanent home that was just as creatively fulfilling as their Emeryville campus
Throughout "Ratatouille" there are analogues to key players and situations in what author James B. Stewart called the "Disney War." I won't bore you with details, but trust me, the connections in "Ratatouille" to real life are there. In fact, when I ran into Bird around the time that his "Mission: Impossible" was coming out and asked him about my theory, he said, with a crooked smile, "I would never tell anyone how to read one of my films." Confirmation achieved.
That's another thing that makes it the best Pixar film. It just sits there, untouched. It's this perfect, unique object, that will never be corrupted by a sequel. There will never be a "Ratatouille: Chef School" prequel. And, who knows, maybe a new story set in that world would be as unexpected and brilliant as "Ratatouille." But I kind of doubt it. Born out of creative frustration and corporate turmoil, "Ratatouille" sprang to gorgeous life while everything pointed to it being a nonstarter. It is, very literally, transcendent ... and that's positively delicious.
