Ratatouille

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Little people with bad taste grow up to be big people with bad taste. Studios serve up garbage films to children all the time. It's excused with a shrug and the words, "Oh, it's for kids. They'll like it!" This is why I am so incredibly thankful for Pixar and the writer-director of "The Incredibles," Brad Bird. Bird is also the man behind Pixar's newest effort, "Ratatouille." He understands that quality matters no matter how old the audience is.
"Ratatouille" tells the story of Remy (Patton Oswalt), a rat living in France, who believes that food shouldn't just be taken out of the garbage. Food should be something special and something to be savored. He sneaks into homes and gets the best pieces of cheese and vegetables he can get his hands on. He even keeps his hands clean by walking around only on two legs. All of these things, along with his love of reading and cooking shows would be disapproved of by his father (Brian Dennehy). Remy's brother Emile (Peter Sohn) reluctantly agrees to keep his secret. One afternoon while gathering up some especially good ingredients, Remy sees his inspiration, the brilliant French chef Gusteau (Brad Garrett) on television. Gusteau's philosophy is that anyone can cook. Food critic Anton Ego (Peter O'Toole) disagrees, and Remy discovers that Ego's scathing review of Gusteau drove the chef into a deep depression which eventually led to his death. Remy is soon discovered by the woman whose home he has invaded and narrowly escapes being shot, but he gets separated from his family amidst the excitement.
Remy's only friend becomes an imaginary version of Gusteau, offering him encouragement. Soon Remy finds that he is in Paris and finds Gusteau's restaurant, now run by the greedy Skinner (Ian Holm). Remy desires to cook more than anything in the world but he has no way of accomplishing this in a human world. That is until the nervous young Linguini (Lou Romano) arrives in the kitchen, much to the chagrin of Skinner. Linguini is only taken on because of his mother's dying wish, as she was a close friend of Gusteau's. Linguini is the first to discover Remy and after a misunderstanding, Linguini is given credit for Remy's delicious new soup. The two quickly team up, with Linguini becoming Remy's cooking puppet.
"Ratatouille" is a bit darker in tone than the average animated G-rated movie, but it's nothing that children can't handle. It's certainly not disturbing like last summer's dreadful "Monster House." Bird gives children a film that doesn't talk down to them. The lessons about believing in yourself and not selling out are not heavy handed. Bird believes that kids will get it without being beaten over the head with a message stick. He gives his whole audience, young and old, a thoroughly enjoyable movie that we only want to end because it has made us so hungry. It also features the most well written and well delivered monologue I have heard in a very very long time. Bird's words out of O'Toole's mouth are a wonder to behold. It comes near the film's end so I won't spoil it for you.
"Ratatouille" is a far superior film to Pixar's previous effort, "Cars," and one that will be enjoyed by all. Don't be late either. The short that runs prior to the film, "Lifted," is absolutely hilarious. I think we can all relate to that little alien.

Ratatouille: 9/10
Lifted: 10/10