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And as it urges us toward an appreciation of excellence, it also gives snobs a roundhouse kick to the palate. In the film's closing act, the storytellers dare to address the role of the critic in society. They remind us that, while we should certainly set our standards high and muster the guts to call garbage what it is, we should also remember that criticism must come from a place of love and passion, not cynicism, arrogance, or condescension. We should recognize greatness, originality, and vision wherever we find it—whether it's from an unknown Ukrainian director at the Venice Film Festival, or from an American storyteller inside Disney studios. It's an ambitious subject for an animated feature. Handled with such grace and insight, it raises Ratatouille to greatness.

So go ahead, serve yourself a heaping plate of Ratatouille, which is likely to be remembered as 2007's summer moviegoing peak. It'll be hard for some to admit, but thanks to this Parisian fairy tale, Walt Disney Studios is once again the premiere filmmaking kitchen in America. Like those diners who swoon at the aroma wafting from Remy's restaurant, moviegoers will keep coming back for seconds, and thirds, so long as Brad Bird is in the kitchen.

Talk About It

1. What had gone wrong in Gusteau's kitchens after his death? What did Remy and Linguini do that changed things?
2. What was wrong with Skinner's moneymaking scheme for the kitchen?
3. Compare the situation in the kitchen to the situation in contemporary entertainment on television and at the movies. Do most people show discernment and a demand for excellence? Or do we accept mediocre entertainment? How might we encourage the production of better, more creative, more exciting work?
4. Are critics just snobs? Or do they serve an important role? Do you value the opinion of food critics? Music critics? Film critics?
5. Almost everyone has a particular subject of expertise in which they happily expound upon the difference between "the good stuff" and mediocrity. What is your particular passion? How can we be enthusiastic about our passions for excellence without becoming snobs?

The Family Corner

Remy and his long-tailed friends have to escape some scary predicaments, including a shotgun-wielding granny in a lengthy (and somewhat scary) scene near the beginning of the film. But that's as rough as it gets in this G-rated and family-friendly film.

Photos © Copyright Disney/Pixar

© Jeffrey Overstreet subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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