Not since The Incredibles have I enjoyed a film by Pixar Studios.  I was unimpressed by the trailers for both Cars and Chicken Little and never saw them.  I thought like all Disney films, Ratatouille would disappoint like the last few years of Pixar and Disney films have.  How wrong I was.

While Ratatouille’s storyline is not its strong point, it does have an energetic and wonderful visual look.  It is easily the best Pixar creation next to The Incredibles.  And it’s no surprise; Ratatouille is written and directed by Brad Bird, the same man who brought us The Incredibles.  Bird seems to excel at integrating thematic elements that will entertain the young and old alike.

The unlikely hero of this film is the form of a rat named Remy (voiced by Patten Oswalt).  He roams the fields of France with his family but isn’t content with feeding on yesterday’s garbage like all the others.  He has the gift of smell that leads him to a small cottage where the inhabitants cook gourmet meals according to the recipes of the great French chef Gusteau (Brad Garrett).  A series of events lead Remy inside the walls of Gusteau’s Parisian restaurant.  Unfortunately, it also concides with the dramatic changes being made at the restaurant’s kitchen and a nasty review from the city’s top food critic, Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole).  However, the new head chef, Skinner (Ian Holm) isn’t concerned about cooking up delectable dinners from Gusteau’s cookbook that would appease the critics; he prefers turning a new line of frozen microwaveable foods, something, he says, that is very American.

When Remy witnesses a garbage boy named Linguini (Lou Romano) contaminate a soup, he ends up sprucing it up and it becomes a hit and Linguini becomes an unlikely hero.  The boy hasn’t a clue on how to cook…but the rat can.  The two form an unlikely partnership where Remy directs Linguini’s actions in the kitchen from under his chef’s hat.  Using Linguini’s hair, Remy controls him in much the same way a puppet master guides his marionette. 

Ratatouille delivers wonderful messages for kids about compassion and determination.  Remy is dedicated to improving the lives of his family and friends by providing them with better food and shelter.  By allowing Linguini to take credit for his creations, he shows selflessness that defines true friendship.  Remy’s difficult and long journey to achieve his goals proves that even the toughest dreams can come true.