Ratatouille 2 (2025)

Pixar invites us back into the soul of Parisian cuisine with Ratatouille 2—a long-awaited, beautifully seasoned sequel that rekindles the wonder of the original while stirring in bold new ingredients. Eighteen years after Ratatouille first captured hearts and palates, this follow-up dares to ask a more mature question: Once you’ve proven anyone can cook, how do you keep the dream alive when the world keeps changing?

We return to the City of Light to find Remy, the extraordinary rat-chef, now a myth whispered in Michelin kitchens and back-alley bistros. No longer just a stowaway in a toque, Remy has become the culinary world’s invisible hand—offering secret guidance, inventing dishes under pseudonyms, and mentoring young cooks from the shadows. His journey is quieter now, less about proving himself, and more about sustaining his passion without losing himself in the process.

The film’s central tension simmers as a new culinary movement sweeps through France: flashy, hyper-modern, Instagram-ready food that threatens to erase the traditions Remy holds dear. For the first time, the question isn’t whether he can cook, but whether the world still wants the kind of food he believes in. It’s a poignant, surprisingly adult dilemma—handled with Pixar’s trademark blend of warmth and wisdom.

Linguini and Colette, now co-owners of the celebrated La Rémanence, offer a grounded counterpoint. Their restaurant is booming, but success brings its own pressure: critics, investors, and the weight of reputation. Lou Romano returns as the awkward, endearing Linguini, and Janeane Garofalo’s Colette has only grown sharper, fiercer, and funnier with time. Their relationship—both romantic and professional—is tested when someone unexpected from Linguini’s past shows up, forcing them to reckon with who they are without Remy pulling the strings.

But the emotional and narrative core remains Remy. Patton Oswalt reprises his role with even greater nuance, imbuing Remy with an aged confidence touched by doubt. The film doesn’t reset the stakes—it elevates them. A high-profile international cooking competition becomes the arena for Remy’s biggest challenge yet. But unlike the first film, this isn’t about proving himself to humans—it’s about staying true to his voice in a world increasingly run by algorithms and aesthetics over authenticity.

Visually, Ratatouille 2 is a feast. Pixar’s animators have crafted a Paris that feels at once timeless and modern—moonlit rooftops bathed in the scent of rosemary and garlic, sleek culinary arenas gleaming with chrome and chaos, and humble kitchens where real magic still simmers in cast-iron pans. Every dish bursts with color, detail, and emotion. Food has never looked more alive.

The score, once again helmed by Michael Giacchino, is a gorgeous blend of Parisian whimsy and orchestral elegance. His themes—both familiar and fresh—carry the film with lyrical charm. Whether it’s a playful chase through the catacombs beneath Montmartre or a quiet, emotional moment as Remy watches a young rat chef discover her first flavor pairing, the music does what Pixar music always does: it deepens the story without ever stealing it.

Perhaps most touching is the new generation of characters. Remy, now a mentor, sees himself in the eyes of a young rat named Béatrice, an ambitious and fiercely curious kitchen prodigy who doesn’t believe in hiding. Their dynamic becomes the emotional engine of the film—a gentle commentary on legacy, mentorship, and letting go.

By the time the credits roll, Ratatouille 2 doesn’t just serve up nostalgia—it earns its place at the table. It’s not merely a return to form, but an evolution of it. It dares to explore what it means to chase creativity in a world that constantly reinvents its tastes. And more importantly, it reminds us that while anyone can cook, it’s those who cook with heart—rats and humans alike—who keep the soul of food alive.