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Movies / On DVD / The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux

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The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

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Reviews Counted:105

Fresh:58

Rotten:47

Average Rating:5.6/10

Consensus: Despite its striking visuals, The Tale of Despereaux as a story feels familiar and unimaginative.

Rated: U

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:19-12-2008

Synopsis: Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor, there was magic in the air, raucous laughter aplenty and gallons of mouth-watering soup. But a terrible accident left the king broken-hearted, the... Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor, there was magic in the air, raucous laughter aplenty and gallons of mouth-watering soup. But a terrible accident left the king broken-hearted, the princess filled with longing and the townsfolk despondent. All hope was lost in a land where sunlight disappeared and the world became dreary gray. Until Despereaux Tilling was born... A brave and virtuous mouse, Despereaux is simply too big for his small world. Though tiny, wheezy and saddled with comically oversized ears, Despereaux refuses to live a life of weakness and fear...believing he was destined to be celebrated in the tales of chivalry he so adores. When he's banished from his home for not following the rules that society expects of a mouse, Despereaux befriends fellow outcast Roscuro, a good-hearted rat who can't bear to look in the mirror and hopes to live far from the grim underground of his kind. While Despereaux begins his noble quest to rescue Pea--a princess who can't see beyond her distorted view of the world--his pal Roscuro receives a painful rejection from her highness that sets him on a course of self-destruction. Along their parallel adventures, the two encounter colorful characters from a serving girl who wishes to be a princess to the evil leader of the sewer rats, who plots revenge on humans from his fiefdom in the subterranean shadows he relishes but Roscuro can't abide. From the highest turrets of the glittering castle to the dankest dark of Dor's sewers, friendships will be tested as Despereaux and Roscuro embark upon a journey that will change the way they look at their world--and themselves--forever. In this tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption, one tiny creature will teach a kingdom that it takes only a little light to show that what you look like doesn't equal what you are. --© Universal Pictures [More]

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Robbie Coltrane, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Jenkins

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Robbie Coltrane, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Kevin Kline, Frank Langella, William H. Macy, James Nesbitt, Tracey Ullman, Sigourney Weaver, Frances Conroy, Tony Hale, Ciaran Hinds, Christopher Lloyd, Stanley Tucci, Emma Watson

Director: Sam Fell, Rob Stevenhagen

Director: Sam Fell, Rob Stevenhagen
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi
Producer: Gary Ross, Allison Thomas
Composer: William Ross
Studio: Universal Pictures

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Reviews for The Tale of Despereaux

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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A thoroughly engaging, slightly offbeat adventure with solid themes running through it

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
01/01/09
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

While it meanders on its way to the requisite happy ending, the lush, stylised animation and courtly flourishes would win over anyone.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/19/08
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

While it’s not animated with the breathless pizazz of a Pixar, ‘Despereaux’ is all the more affecting and dramatically successful for its contemplative pace and measured delivery of information. A lovely film.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
12/19/08
David Jenkins
David Jenkins
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Visually it's special, but while the characters may inhabit a wonderful environment, they just don't inhabit a satisfying narrative.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
12/19/08
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The rodent worlds are painted with flair and invention, but the characters – with the noble exception of Watson’s princess – are as dull as dishwater.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
12/19/08
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It is supposed to be a heart-melter, but my heart stayed the temperature of a phial of liquid nitrogen left overnight on the surface of Pluto.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
12/19/08
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Youngsters for whom attention deficit disorder is the norm may struggle without a regular rush of easy laughs, but for more discerning anklebiters it's very satisfying fare.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
12/19/08
Tim Evans
Tim Evans
Sky Movies

This film is a triumph and will delight everyone in your family. Superb.

Full Review Source: Heart 106.2 | comment Comment
12/19/08
Simon Thompson
Simon Thompson
Heart 106.2

For all its faults, it ranks among the liveliest, best-looking and most imaginative films of the year. And not only small children will love that mouse.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
12/19/08
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

It is all nicely animated, and has a great voice cast, but is not really special or magical enough to really crack the ultra-competitive kiddie animation market.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
12/19/08
Mark Adams
Mark Adams
Daily Mirror [UK]

The film is full of charm, wit and pictorial panache.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
12/19/08
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

A long story, and one more likely to work its charm on kids than on their parents.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
12/19/08
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

The Tale of Despereaux's heart is in the right place, but the script is messy and unfocussed, the animation is dull and uninspired, the characters are boring and the film manages to completely waste the talents of its fantastic cast.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
12/19/08
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

While it meanders on its way to the requisite happy ending, the lush, stylised animation and courtly flourishes would win over anyone.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/18/08
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like many good cute cartoon movies for young kids, Despereaux is really a covert call to rebellion, dissent and heresy.

Full Review Source: Teletext | comment Comment
12/18/08
Victor Olliver
Victor Olliver
Teletext

A somewhat charmless affair which, while striking to look at, fails to come to dramatic life.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
12/15/08
Mike Goodridge
Mike Goodridge
Screen International

It amounts to less than the sum of its artfully conceived parts but remains a nice and visually interesting film.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
04/08/09
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

To gegonos oti sto eikosalepto mporei na se riksei se bathy ypno, mporei na einai kai to kalytero kamoyflarisma aytoy toy anapanteha anepeisodiakoy ki anyperblita baretoy kinoymenoy ap' ta shediastika grafeia tis Universal Animation, poy den ehei kan to t

Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment Comment
03/22/09
Joseph Proimakis
Joseph Proimakis
Movies for the Masses

The film looks great and the story is interesting enough for adults. It may be a little too complex and intense for young children.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
02/11/09
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Bland, over-stuffed, chaotic and ultimately underwhelming for both kids and adults.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
01/31/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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