movie review
Ratatouille
Should you bring the kids? Yes, although it’s better suited for grown-up foodies than kids who don’t know a wok from a steamer. Also, it should have been rated PG. To find out why, see “Bringing the Kids” below.
THE STORY: If there were ever two things that shouldn’t be in the kitchen together, it’s rats and food. But that’s just what happens in this cute Pixar movie directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles).
The story follows a rat named Remy (voiced by actor/comedian Patton Oswalt) whose greatest dream in life is to become a famous chef. But that’s going to be a challenge because for one thing, Remy is a rat. And for another thing, his family isn’t too keen on the idea. His dad (Brian Dennehy) feels that a rat’s place is, well, in the dumpster BEHIND the kitchen.
When a tragedy befalls Remy and his family, they find themselves booted out of their home in the French countryside and heading towards Paris on a fast-moving river. The little guy gets separated from his family, but tries to make the best of things by taking a look around the big city. He can’t believe his good fortune when he finds himself at a gourmet restaurant once helmed by his culinary hero, Chef Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett), now deceased…sort of…
While peering into the kitchen from a rooftop window one night, Remy watches the culinary goings-on and dreams what it would be like if HE were there. Until…he IS there, thanks to a mishap that lands him smack in the middle of everything.
Dodging copper pots and meat cleavers, Remy finally comes to rest by a pot of bubbling soup on the stove. Unable to resist, he adds his special touch, delicately tossing in assorted herbs and spices. However, through a series of events, Linguini (Lou Romano), the garbage boy, gets the credit for the tasty soup. As a result, he’s promoted to chef. In reality, he can’t cook an egg.
Given the task of disposing the unwanted rodent, Linguini takes Remy – now encased in a jar – outside and laments to the little rat that he really needs this job. The two hapless souls realize they can help each other. Remy can do the cooking for Linguini, and at the same time, fulfill his lifelong passion of being a chef. They figure all this out in a very unique way.
Meanwhile, Remy’s family re-enters the picture, and his dad can’t understand why Remy is so geeked about gourmet food when there’s plenty of good garbage around to eat. He worries that Remy’s passion could split up the family. Likewise, Remy is torn between his dreams and his family’s insistence that he behave like, you know, a rat.
Rounding out the cast are Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, John Ratzenberger, and Peter O’Toole. Look for a snappy Pixar short to open the movie, as well.
BRINGING THE KIDS:
PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): So rarely do we get a G-rated movie that’s appropriate for little ones, but this one has MOST of the right ingredients—lots of action and color for young kids and a heartfelt story for everyone else. Still, a few objectionable scenes push this movie towards a PG rating. A character says “Welcome to Hell!” in describing a tense situation. Another character forces wine on someone to get information out of him. And there’s lots of comic-type violence, including an old woman who uses a gun to shoot rats inside her house. For all these reasons—as well as the fact that most of the culinary lingo will go over kids’ heads—I think this movie is best for kids 5 and older.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): “Dream big” is the moral of this movie. Sure, it’s been done before, but in a summer of sequels, it’s refreshing to have a movie that’s NOT based on a previous movie. It’s bright, colorful, and has a good storyline about pursuing your dreams even when all the cards are stacked against you. Remy and Linguini learn the truth about friendship, family and being true to yourself. Still, there’s something repulsive about a pack of rats in the kitchen and pantry.
TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): As mentioned, this movie is better suited to all the grown-up foodies who watch The Food Network. And it doesn’t really have that “second-viewing” factor. Meaning, would I see it again? Nah.
SCORE: 3.5 out of 4 Reels.
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