Ratatouille

AMG Review of Ratatouille

James Christopher Monger
All Music Guide

Composer Michael Giacchino reunites with director Brad Bird on Ratatouille, whose lively and endlessly inventive soundtrack strikes a perfect balance between the old European drama of Ennio Morricone and the unhinged whimsy of Raymond Scott. Like an Old World version of Giacchino's jazz-infused, comic book-kissed score for The Incredibles, Ratatouille is both elegant and mad, built around a sweet and playful theme called "Le Festin," which is presented both instrumentally and vocally (sung by the charming French star Camille) and is as timeless as the dish for which the film is based. Bird has proved himself a master of the modern animation flick, but without the talented Giacchino, his subtle balance of sentimentality and ageless humor would take a severe blow to the heart.