Ratatouille represents the best Pixar film to date, narrating how a rat named Rémy pursues his dream to become a chef with the help of the bumbling Alfredo Linguini. Despite the fact that rats are never welcome in a kitchen.

Steve Jobs once said that while “Apple is the most creatively advanced technical company…Pixar is the most technically advanced creative company.” The studio has long mastered the science of storytelling, breathing life into fantastical stories about toys, bugs, monsters, fish, and even cars with the latest CGI technology and some of the best animators. All of its movies continue to earn a healthy profit through good box office runs and home video sales.

With Ratatouille, Pixar continues the trend. The stylized depiction of Paris looks so real, and you really believe that the well-animated characters, ranging from rats, to human caricatures, are living personalities who feel. Ratatouille made $47 million on its opening weekend, and will definitely make money for Pixar through DVDs and merchandising.

But Ratatouille stands out from other Pixar films because it’s more than an exercise in animation proficiency. For the first time, a Pixar movie relies less on its imaginative novelty (cars that can talk, a superhero family, toys that are alive, etc.) and more on its story. An emphatic story of a rat who struggles against the best efforts of convention.

There’s nothing new about this kind of conflict. Yet when you compare Ratatouille to the thematically-weak The Incredibles, and the fuzzy small town Americana focus of Cars, you’ll realize that Pixar has finally mastered the art of storytelling.

Everything’s here, from physical humor, child-friendly characters, an easily understood story, and a universal message that resonates with people of all ages. There’s even a not-so-subtle wink to critics.

Moreover, the movie’s scenes aren’t just there to entertain. While most of them are enjoyable, there’s a reason behind every frame, moving the story forward or setting the foundation for later development. In other words, it’s entertainment, but with a purpose.

That’s why sitting through Ratatouille was such a pleasant experience. As I was wowed by the charming characters, homey setting, and Pixar’s mastery of CGI, I always felt that I was getting somewhere. This is a story Pixar tells really well, and that’s why Ratatouille earns five fools out of five. I’m really glad I watched this with Sasha.