Chew Slowly and Think About the Taste

I finally saw Ratatouille the other day, which I enjoyed both for the satisfying adventure story and its sound moral values: Any propaganda instructing children not to eat junk food is helpful. As the rat scampers about accomplishing tasks and solving problems, the film plays out like an ideal video game. I haven't seen the interactive versions of Ratatouille, but I can't imagine they would have to change it very much from what's already on-screen. Many action movies are written like video games, but they also include character development and conversation. The hero must grow up, he must fight and then make up with his close friends, and so on, even if much of this is unoriginal filler, until we move on to the physical obstacles that provide the real excitement. In this movie, the interpersonal drama is mostly confined to the humans the rat observes from his hiding places, just as a video-game player can sit back and watch animated segments before continuing the game. There is still a subplot of the rat's rebellion against his dad, who doesn't think rats should mingle with humans. "You can't change nature," the father says. The reply: "But change is nature, dad! It's the part that we can influence!"

While I understand it's all in good fun, it could have turned into a more sophisticated adult film if there had been more talk about the food. What really makes a good ratatouille, anyway? More importantly, what's his favorite kind of cheese? There was just enough insider detail thrown in to give the kitchen scenes the illusion of authenticity, but it wasn't enough to make me feel like I was a chef, watching the movie; and I would like to be a chef, and a rat as well.