On the contrary...

Rating: 10/10 (5 July 2007)

On the contrary to most parents' adage, "Don't be picky, always try new things." This adage has been given it's initial part a twist of fate. And I, too, have always believed that being picky is not a bad thing. I have to admit that I am one myself, just like Anton Ego (Peter O'Toole voice), "If I don't like it, I don't...", unfortunately, I'm way beyond his last two words, I don't even try it. This is a wrong thing to do, I will never know what is good or not.
Anyways, in regards to this film. I think it builds foundation for those who are picky and especially to those that are forced at home to eat something they don't like. But of course, you cannot say you do not want to eat your vegetables. However, there are some bitter tasting ones, and those are the ones you may have a chance to push yourself out of the seat.
At the scene where Remy decided to cook a peasant dish to a renown critic, it really reminded me a couple of Chinese cooking movies too, one of which that I clearly remember is Sik San (1996) starring Stephen Chow. There are choices that one can make to deter the simplest dish and turn it into a masterpiece that can "drive you into an apple's core", just like the tasting of new food when Remy first tasted the better lifestyle of Paris, or when Remy tries to teach his brother (i forgot his name) about not eating anymore garbage when you are in a country of high quality life and the flashback technique in the movie, and also in the movie I mentioned.
Beside the fact about taste and cooking, Remy was the cause of a romantic trigger between Linguini (Lou Romano) and Colette (Janeane Garofalo), and Remy's father's change of beliefs of rats and understanding humans differently.
One last note, the introduction of the movie was strange but it is an attention grabber and to introduce how easy can a human be manipulated by aliens or other life forms. I thought that the kid on the 1000 controls panel was really cute! He points: "This one? No, this one. Hm.. That one? This one...?" And so on.. with his eyes he's like asking the teacher in the classroom like a student who is trying to ask for help on a test given to him. Obviously, a test is where you do not ask any questions at all.
I recommend this wonderful film about cooking to all families around the world. It is a good thing to know that one day, one of your family members, who is very picky, may end up as a talented official or unofficial cook, just like Remy (Patton Oswalt voice). Everyone has their own favorites, likes and dislikes. And one day, being picky will probably save the day, just like Remy, who knew that some food in the garbage have been rat-poisoned.