the idea (which i love) is that anyone CAN cook, but not everyone can be a GREAT cook. Remy had the drive/passion and inherent natural ability to push him over the edge. "The Incredibles" had a similar theme - not everyone's going to be great, but greatness comes from many different and unexpected places.

pretty good stuff for a mainstream, Disney movie.

and i didn't even think about the no female rats thing...although, a lesser movie would've thrown in an unnecessary rat romance to match the one between linguini and colette.