Ratatouille
From Walt Disney Records

Album Details
Soundtrack to the Hit Walt Disney/Pixar Animation Studios Film "Ratatouillie". Australian Version features Four Additiontal Tracks. Features Original Music by Michael Giacchino and Song Performance by Camille.

As befits an American movie set in France, this score starts off by quoting the French national anthem; fortunately, Michael Giacchino quickly turns off the cliché tap and gets the fun started. The composer, best known for his work on Alias and Lost, shows he can do light and nimble--and elegant, too: not many animated/kiddie movies have scores that evoke vintage Henry Mancini ("Losing Control"). "Wall Rat" is a good example of Giacchino's MO: It begins with a slightly melancholy melody played on the cello; that thread soon gives way to flutes and piccolo violins, which of course evoke the scampering of little feet--and that's when the bongos come in. Actually, those delicious bongos pop up regularly, flavoring the jazzy feel of "Cast of Cooks" or the tango-style "Special Order." Even when Giacchino uses that universal signifier of all things Gallic, the accordion, he does it sparingly ("A New Deal," "Ratatouille Main Theme") and with flair. And of course, Giacchino throws everything but the proverbial kitchen sink in the sprawling "End Creditouilles." Note that this instrumental CD starts off with the quirky pop song "Le Festin" (the feast) by the wonderful French vocalist Camille. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Michael Giacchino's score for Pixar's Ratatouille is just as good as the film!
Michael Giacchino, the man who scored Alias, Lost, The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible 3, and The Family Stone, brings us Ratatouille, one of the most beautiful pieces of modern orchestral music out there. Like the film, the score is comedic, heartfelt, and genuine. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves with an Oscar nomination.

Some of my favorite tracks:
1.) Le Festin - Like the soundtrack insert says, Le Festin is like a classic song that's been around for ages but you've never gotten to hear it before. It's unique, and its score is repeated in different themes throughout the score.
6.) Wall Rat - I love the energy, this is simply one of the best tracks on the disk.
9.) Souped Up - I first heard this song at Wondercon with Brad Bird, it got so much excitement from the thousands of people in the theater that everyone burst into spontaneous applause.
11.) A New Deal - The first half is a heartfelt song, the second half sounds like two new friends prancing together in the park.
12.) Remy Drives a Linguini - I can see this song being played in a comedy short film; it's western and upbeat.
13.) Colette Shows Him Le Ropes - The song that plays on the Ratatouille homepage, perfect for Colette's wild personality.
14.) Special Order - Jazzy and festive, I can imagine this song being played at a salsa dance.
21.) Dinner Rush - I believe this song plays at the climax of the film. You know that Pixar-ish feeling you get when you watch a Pixar movie for the first time? I believe this was when I had that strong feeling.
22.) Anyone Can Cook - "Le Festin" but more orchestral, I think this song will help Giacchino get that deserved Oscar nomination. One of the most moving tracks in recent cinema history.
23.) End Creditouilles - A jazzier and rapid mix of a bunch of tracks from the score.
24.) Ratatouille Main Theme - Same as "Anyone Can Cook," except more dramatic, and I always get a nice shiver at the point of the song when the strings take over the orchestra. Beautiful!

Overall, I highly recommend the Ratatouille soundtrack. Look for an Oscar nomination early next year.

It'll pick you up, and in some cases, bring tears to your eyes
It shouldn't be surprising that such a charming and clever movie is matched by a similarly attractive score.

Definitely worth a purchase, the disc features songs that are playful, reflective, jazzy... sometimes all at once. As another commenter rightly noted, one of the songs -- "Anyone Can Cook" -- is particularly notable for how it tugs at your heartstrings and evokes the more sensitive moments towards the end of the film.

In contrast, "Le Festin" (the opening track) is an delicious and quite hummable ditty of a theme that'll have you smiling every time.

Oh, and listen to that amazing trumpeter saucily shine through in the jazzy-and-multi-mood'd End Creditouille (the credits-music that kept nearly all theatregoers in the show I attended quietly in their seats 'til the very last moment)

So, given that I clearly love so many of the tracks on this CD, why only four stars? Alas, a number of the tracks just don't have that repeat-listenability thing going for them. It's not a CD I'll regularly listen to from start to finish.

But, oh, the rest of the tunes! Such a pleasure, bringing back great memories from the film. They'll be listened to again and again.

Perhaps anyone can cook. But not everyone can make such engaging compositions and arrangements, and for that, I salute Mr. Giacchino :)

Like fine wine and great food
Okay. I'm not trying to be cute with the cooking references. I think that anytime you pair music and movies it is like having a wine and a meal. Sometimes one of the two can not be so great, yet you still have an enjoyable experience. Sometimes both are of the most excellent sort, but the combination just somehow doesn't work. Then there are instances where both are nearly perfect and they work even more perfectly together. That is the case with Ratatouille. Both score and film are deserving of Academy awards. Not only for technical achievement, but also for the art and heart with which they were crafted. Another moment of brilliance for Michael Giacchino, Brad Bird, and the rest of the Pixar/Disney staff.