I met the writer and director of Ratatouille, Brad Bird, in 1999 when he was promoting his movie The Iron Giant. I found him warm, animated and engaging. When the DVD for The Incredibles came out, the behind-the-scenes footage showed Bird as a near manic with creative energy surging out of his every pore. Since The Incredibles was so successful, no doubt Disney has given him a very long leash—and this sometimes spells trouble. But Bird uses his power and creativity wisely to create the most original and unique movie of 2007—bar none.

Remy: I don’t want to eat garbage, dad!

That’s the rallying cry for the hero of Ratatouille, Remy, a Parisian rat who has a taste for something better. All his life, he’s dreamed of exquisite cheeses, fine ingredients, and well-prepared food. After being separated from his family, Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt) finds himself inside the kitchen of the famed Gusteau’s in Paris. This fine restaurant has seen better days since its owner and namesake Gusteau (voiced by Brad Garrett) passed away. Now, it is run by a diminutive twit called Skinner (voiced by Ian Holm), who doesn’t share Gusteau’s opinion that “Anyone can Cook.”

A garbage boy, who may or may not be Gusteau’s son, named Linguini starts work in the kitchen and pretends to make soup. Just before it is served, Remy steps in, adds the proper ingredients, and saves the soup. Now, everyone thinks Linguini can cook, so Remy has to keep pulling the strings, coaching Linguini in the fine art of food preparation. Along the way, Remy fights to keep a place in his family, Linguini falls in love with Colette (voiced by Janeane Garofolo), and the conniving Skinner gets his just desserts.

There is much to praise about this wonderful, near classic film. This is the way movies should be—not created by focus groups or out-of-touch producers, nor does it kowtow to the lowest-common denominator with infantile humor.

Romans 5:5 - And hope does not disappoint us…

Anyone who looks at themselves and their circumstances and craves for something more will cheer for Remy. Even Linguini discovers there is something more in this life than what he expected. In that way, this movie touches on transcendence and hope—two God-given gifts for humanity.

The movie also speaks to the importance of family, and how families should help each other achieve God-given dreams and goals.

Finally, the movie addresses a theme rarely seen in movies: that it is much easier to criticize than to create, but those who have the courage to create find fulfillment and joy in the trying.

Ratatouille restores your faith in movies and the power to dream and love. It’s a movie benefiting and praising humanity and food. For all who are tired of eating garbage, and settling for filth, it’s a celebration of possibility and goodness. Ratatouille is not as slick as Cars or as action packed as The Incredibles, but it has fantastic, emotive characters, a solid storyline, and dozens of great life lessons.