The Tale of Despereaux
by Robert Stevenhagen, Sam Fell
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Kevin Kline, Matthew Broderick, Tracey UllmanDirector: Robert Stevenhagen, Sam Fell
Brand: NBC Universal
Producer: Allison Thomas
Producer: Casey Crowe
Writer: Chris Viscardi
Writer: Gary Ross
Writer: Kate DiCamillo
Writer: Will McRobb
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 93 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-04-07
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Universal
Movie Reviews of The Tale of Despereaux
Movie Review: Stupendous
Summary: 5 Stars
The tagline for the film says it best: Once upon a time in the far away kingdom of Dor...lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Desperaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good hearted rat friend Roscuro, who leads him at long last, on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness.
Whew. That is a mouthful, yet it does not even scratch the surface of the Universal animated film. The story is enchanting, and the entire production is packed with big name voice actors, and a manifold thematic presence.
Matthew Broderick is Desperaux, repeating an earlier role from Ladyhawke when he played Phillipe the Mouse who also crawled through a sewage system to escape. Other actors included in the cast are Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, William H Macy, Tracy Ullman, Emma Watson, Sigourney Weaver, and Christopher Lloyd. The 3D animation is outstanding (very early Disney like in many spots) , and only on a couple of occasions are the backgrounds not meshed well. It`s not a far stretch to imagine Mickey Mouse in the place of Desperaux, and Goofy as Roscuro as they take on the rats at the film climax.
Not many of the modern animated films keep viewers interested in the story, but this one does. Desperaux is a modern Galahad. While his mouse companions are scurrying in fear, he is walking boldly into the unknown. While others are eating books, he is reading them. His befriending of the princess, is enough to outcast him. Roscuro, the rat, is inspired by Desperaux`s tales of honor and bravery. His honor, is tested and in the end rings true. The mourning king, lives in the past, while playing his mandolin amidst tears. The dark pall that hangs over the kingdom remains as long as a king does not hope, and forgiveness does not live in the hearts of the Dorians. The Princess`servant, traveled to the castle to be in the big house, to be a princess. Once there, even being near her princess was enough. The jailer, who lost his daughter many years ago, still mourned too. Only when he found her, and she realized that she has value to her father, does she truly become a princess in her own life. Specifically, the themes of courage, forgiveness, redemption, and encouragement are dominant in the film.
I really liked this film, and highly recommend it to film goers of all ages.
Tim Lasiuta
Summary of The Tale of Despereaux
Once upon a time... in the far away kingdom of Dor... lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Despereaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend Roscuro, who leads him, at long last, on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness. Based on the heartwarming children's bestselling book and featuring the voice talents of an all-star cast, The Tale of Despereaux is a magical, modern fairytale that's destined to win the hearts of young and old alike. Directed by: Sam Fell, Rob StevenhagenThe Tale of Despereaux looks a little like Shrek. The storytelling and animation draw on everything from Ratatouille and classic fairytales to Shakespeare, Jonathan Swift, Indiana Jones, and, in its action sequences, even Bourne and Bond. But this movie stands on its own; too dark and violent for very young children, perhaps, but for the most part it?s exciting and funny, and it delivers a message about bravery and forgiveness that is relevant to us all. Voiced by Matthew Broderick, the title character is a little guy, even by mouse standards, with enormous ears and an imagination to match; much to the dismay of his elders, he "never cowers, won?t scurry, and refuses to be taught to be scared" (he?d much rather read a book than eat it, a pursuit that fills his head with visions of valiant knights, damsels in distress, and a life defined by "courage, honor, and decency"). That leads to his being banished from Mouseworld to the realm of the rats, where, it is presumed, he will be eaten. But no. Ratworld--a dark, chaotic, genuinely scary place--happens to be the current residence of one Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), a peaceful sort whose shenanigans in the human world have accidentally led to the death of the Queen, the imprisonment of the Princess (Emma Watson), and, worst of all, the banning of Soup Day (no small deal) and the end of soup itself! Roscuro and Despereaux join forces, inadvertently helped out by a homely but soft-hearted farm girl named Miggery Sow (Tracey Ullman), and, well, you can imagine how it all turns out. Directors Sam Fell and Robert Stevenhagen and scriptwriter Gary Ross (adapting Kate DiCamillo?s book) have concocted some vivid and interesting worlds for their film; the look is unusual, often washed out, muted, and bathed in hazy light; and the voice acting is excellent (others include William H. Macy, Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci, and Frank Langella). All in all, despite a conclusion that?s confusing even while it?s predictable, The Tale of Despereaux is a worthy addition to the crowded animation field. --Sam Graham
Printable Coloring Page, Map & Despereaux ears from The Tale of Despereaux (Click for full size)
 Coloring Page |  Maze |  Despereaux Ears |
Stills from The Tale of Despereaux (Click for larger image)
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