2007, Pixar
Animated
Rating: G
Approx. 111 mins.
THE STORY:
Remy (Patton Oswalt) lives for good food and dreams of being a great chef. The one big obstacle in his way is the fact that he's a rat. He finds a way around this when he meets Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), a clumsy, hapless kitchen cleaner at the namesake restaurant of Remy's idol, Chef Gustave (Brad Garett). Although he has no cooking talent whatsoever, Linguini accidentally finds himself the new star chef at the restaurant, which, since Gustave's death has gone downhill under the management of money-driven chef Skinner (Ian Holm). Remy and Linguini are each able to give the other what he needs when they secretly work together-- with Remy hiding under Linguini's chef hat-- to produce the best food the restaurant has served in years.
Things become further complicated when it is revealed that Linguini is the love child of Gusteau and the rightful owner of the restaurant. Remy is faced with the challenge of satisfying his passion and not abandoning his family. Linguini has to redeem the restaurant, find his niche in life, and prove himself to Remy, to the woman he loves, to critics and to himself.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- stupid
- idiot
- shut up
- bloody
VIOLENCE:
- negligible
TEACHING POINTS:
- You don't have to be defined by what others expect you to be
- Stealing is wrong no matter how you try to justify it
THE UPSHOT:
The adults in the room liked it far more than the 4 year-old, who had trouble understanding the (fake) French accents and following what is a quite mature story line-- illegitimacy, wills, legacies, death and such. There was also less overt humour than in most kids' movies. It is definitely a better choice for older kids and adults.
3/5
