Ratatouille is writer/director Brad Bird’s first theatrical release since The Incredibles, for which he won an Oscar. It may not immediately appeal to the typical college student — it’s lacking the crude humor, overt sexuality and foul language that have become so common in films lately. Instead it is a G-rated animated movie and I cannot remember the last time I watched anything G-rated. But Ratatouille makes me question why that’s the case.

Pixar, the company behind Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Cars, warms up your laughing muscles by first showing Lifted, an animated short about an alien version of a driver’s education test, where they are tested on how to abduct humans. In Ratatouille, Patton Oswalt provides the voice of Remy, a young rat who aspires to be a chef and, with Gusteau (Brad Garrett) as a guide, ends up at a famous bistro in Paris. Skinner (Ian Holm), the vertically challenged chef in charge of the bistro, and Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole), a dreary food critic, add to the great variety of characters. Going against his father’s warnings, Remy and Linguini (Lou Romano), a garbage boy turned cook, form a partnership that leads to many laughs. Who wouldn’t laugh at a huge swarm of rats falling from the ceiling, the same swarm of rats taking hostages, or a midget with a Napoleon complex carrying around a step stool everywhere he goes?

This original story does not involve any penguins, fish or cars trying to make a quick buck off the latest kid’s craze. Instead, the witty writing provides great character development, especially for the parts of Linguini and Remy.

But the highlight of the movie is the animation, which is nothing short of breathtaking. It is far above that of any animated movie to date. In fact, on more than one occasion I had to remind myself that it was animated. There is the perfect blend of realistic and cartoonish animation. The water looks watery, the food looks so edible it will make your stomach growl, and the rats are cartoonish enough not to scare the kids but real enough that when they swarm they could give you the creeps. There are also several stunning views of Paris.

Brad Bird and Pixar have hit another home run with this feel-good movie that is reminiscent of the old Disney classics. They continue their tradition of being able to cater to both children and adults, something that has become elusive in the movies of late. So, if you can appreciate a movie without vulgar language, sexual innuendo and explosions around every corner and you would like to walk out of a movie with a bounce in your step and a big grin on your face, look no further than Ratatouille.