OpinionMom

As a family we saw Ratatouille the other day. I wanted to share my impressions of the movie with you.

First of all I want to say that Ratatouille is actually a family movie in the best tradition of Disney family movies. The whole family should enjoy seeing Ratatouille.

My kids, a teen and a tween, loved it. I also think that younger children would enjoy this film. While the film is engaging, I didn’t notice anything that would be scary to a younger audience.

I also didn’t notice any objectionable language or themes in Ratatouille. (This is something that I am always on the lookout for.) Also, the whole family should enjoy the way that the film ends.

Because a “figment of the imagination” becomes a character in the story and because the term is used, the movie could lead to an interesting opportunity to explain the concepts of “imagination” and “imaginary” to younger children.

I also liked the fact that the movie discouraged stealing. Several times in the movie, the rat was tempted to steal due to hunger. Each time, he was reminded that stealing is wrong.

As an adult, I have to admit that I found myself a little grossed out at the idea of a rat handling food that is going to be eaten by people. (After all, it was rats that spread the bubonic plague in Europe.) The kids didn’t share my squeamishness at all.

I’ve noticed that there’s already a lot of Ratatouille toys and activities out there. I personally prefer the toys and activities that encourage reading and learning.

All in all, Ratatouille is a movie that you can feel good about taking your family to see.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.