Ratatouille
Denise and I watched "Ratatouille" last night and I was really surprised at just how negative the film's message was. Essentially, the film's main point was that hard work and study are irrelevant because talent is innate. At first, it seems as though the film is about how anyone can accomplish things no matter what their background. However,by the film's end narration, it becomes clear that what it really means is that background has no bearing on someone's innate talent. It's the stressed innateness of talent that I found particularly disturbing. Only the main character, Remy the rat, with his pre-existing heightened sense of smell and taste is good enough to be a true chef. While the female chef, who has studied, practiced and worked her ass off to get to where she is in life, is only good enough to take Remy's instruction.
Admittedly, Brad Bird's previous film, "The Incredibles" had a similar message, i.e. when everyone is special no one is. That film at least had the reconciling of a family and super-heroics to cloak its intents. "Ratatouille" only had the friendship between a rat and human, which is nowhere near as endearing. The film is much like the old Disney cartoon about the mouse that wants to fly, whose message was not try to expand outside your role.
All in all, very disturbing.
Admittedly, Brad Bird's previous film, "The Incredibles" had a similar message, i.e. when everyone is special no one is. That film at least had the reconciling of a family and super-heroics to cloak its intents. "Ratatouille" only had the friendship between a rat and human, which is nowhere near as endearing. The film is much like the old Disney cartoon about the mouse that wants to fly, whose message was not try to expand outside your role.
All in all, very disturbing.