The Tale of Despereaux Movie Review

G – 1hr. 40min.

The kids loved this movie. I really enjoyed it too. There is a warning to parents that the theaters continue to play inappropriate previews for the age group that kids movies are intended for. This is either an oversight or possibly a planned infiltration of the innocence of today’s innocents.

After the barrage of TV commercials and previews, the movie opens with a somewhat traditional “Once Upon a Time…”. It has the feel of a Shrek-ish type of fairy tale, but the story and artwork are perfect for the period. The artwork is very reminiscent of 15th Century Early Renaissance paintings, but it’s still fun and a fresh feel as this look has not been used in digital animation before.

Without spoiling the movie for you, I will simply say that Desperaux is a mouse that doesn’t behave like other mice. He doesn’t scurry or flinch in fear. He doesn’t realize that he’s smaller than other mice. He is brave, true and chivalrous to a fault. His un-mouse-like behavior gets him into trouble.

There’s also a rat in this story, named Roscuro, who doesn’t behave like other rats. He likes sunshine, people and soup! His un-rat-like behavior gets him into trouble as well! The movie unfolds into a few sub-stories that are all intertwined and depend upon each other for resolution into a complete tale. In the end, Despereaux and Roscuro befriend each other, save a kingdom and rescue a princess!

Be aware that this movie touches on some themes that are over the heads of little ones (5 and under) but there is enough adventure to keep them going for most of the movie. My 8 year old enjoyed it, but it is so much harder to really wow the kiddie-critics when trying to keep up with the likes of Bolt and Horton Hears a Who. Anyway you shake it, this was a “safe”, good movie to see without the inevitable insertions of gross-out potty humor. I will venture to say that the book is probably even better…a Christmas gift idea…