On the Fourth of July, my family went to the movies to watch Ratatouille.

For an insightful review, let me direct you to Thomas Hibbs via NRO here.

For the most part, I agree with Hibbs (a friend and an authority on American cinema), who called Ratatouille "a smart, funny, well-made film." However, I must admit that I liked it slightly less than he did.

Even Hibbs complained that the film "dragg[ed] a bit toward the end." I rue the day filmmakers decided that all fine films must be two hours long. Sometimes a story about a rat who can talk and cook and transform a sagging Paris restaurant just might be more appropriately told in ninety minutes.

Perhaps the length is my main gripe. Or perhaps the movie lost me when the whole colony of rats took over the kitchen to save the day. One cooking rat I can buy. A whole army of cooking rats stretches my credulity.

Anyhow, I have not walked out of a Pixar film less excited since Monsters, Inc. I will not be counting the days until the DVD release.

Having said that, a less-appealing Pixar film is still magic.

I wholeheartedly agree with Hibbs in his interest in and admiration for director Brad Bird (The Incredibles).

Hibbs writes:

Like The Incredibles, Ratatouille is really about nobility or excellence in a democratic setting: Not everyone has equal talent or ability but there is no predicting, on the basis of class or nationality, where talent might arise. Fortunately, for moviegoers, there is still some talent left in Hollywood.

Well said.

Read here for other Bosque Boys thoughts on the Incredibles, Cars and Pixar.