I watched Ratatouille with a 3-year old who is currently obsessed with super heroes. Hey, want to watch a movie about a rodent who becomes a super chef? "Yeah, hee!" came the big response; whereas I cringed at the idea. What will Pixar think of next? A cockroach barista? Rats conjure up images of the Great Plague, disease, and so forth - nothing too positive. To see a whole army of rats swarming around the sacred kitchen is not my ideal night of entertainment, but that's exactly what happens in this brave new animation.

Having an extremely keen sense of taste as well as a passion for culinary arts, you can say, Remy is not your average rat. But in a world driven by humans, an eccentric rat is unfortunately just another pesty rat. Estranged from his clan during a flooding accident, Remy finds himself alone in the sewer with a cookbook written by the late legendary chef Gusteau whose famous motto "Anyone can cook" inspires Remy. By luck, he stumbles into the kitchen of chef Gusteau's now struggling restaurant and spots a perfect opportunity to let his hidden talents loose. Surreptitiously sneaking in his own gourmet recipe into a big pot of soup, Remy immerses himself in the ecstasy of creation, while Linguini, a garbage boy, witnesses the entire act from a distance with utter shock. Then suddenly the soup becomes a big hit among customers, sending a flurry of orders into the kitchen. Linguini is mistaken to be the hero with the sole knowledge of the ingredients and is immediately given the chef's role. With no one else to turn to, Linguini strikes a deal with Remy who becomes his personal muse. Masquerading as THE chef inside Linguini's muffin hat, Remy lives his dream vicariously through his partner-in-crime, giving out precise instructions via a hair-pulling communication method in what is to be the film's most delightful slapstick moment.

Brimming with realistic special effects, Ratatoille simulates its animated characters with immaculate details, pinning down every movement to a single strand of hair. You can be sure that Remy appears nothing like Mickey Mouse donned in that adorable buttondown outfit. Unequivocally, my vote for the film's most striking moment goes to the scene where ruthless restaurant critic Anton Ego takes one mouthful of Remy's home-style "Ratatoille" dish and his mind immediately shoots back in time to his childhood. Enraptured by the emotional vestiges of his mother's warm home-cooked meal, Ego rekindles his childhood innocence, leaving you charmed and teary.

For a little rat movie, there's plenty of inspiring messages and lessons for everyone. My 3-year old companion seemed most excited by the scene where Remy and his gang of rats raid through the restaurant's food storage. "BAD RATS!" he yelled. Yes, stealing is bad. Regrettably, Remy lost face from then on. I, on the other hand, recovered from Remy's mischief, and began my own discovery of enlightenment through watching a rat transform into a real hero. For me, it was his sheer focus and passion for what seemed like an impossible dream that got me envious of this little fuzzy creature. A celebration of life, hope, and possibilities, Ratatoille is best summed in Anton Ego's most eloquent speech: Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.