A thoroughly engaging, slightly offbeat adventure with solid themes running through it
The Tale of Despereaux (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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.
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
Reviews for The Tale of Despereaux
While it meanders on its way to the requisite happy ending, the lush, stylised animation and courtly flourishes would win over anyone.
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.
Visually it's special, but while the characters may inhabit a wonderful environment, they just don't inhabit a satisfying narrative.
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.
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.
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.
This film is a triumph and will delight everyone in your family. Superb.
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.
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.
A long story, and one more likely to work its charm on kids than on their parents.
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.
While it meanders on its way to the requisite happy ending, the lush, stylised animation and courtly flourishes would win over anyone.
Like many good cute cartoon movies for young kids, Despereaux is really a covert call to rebellion, dissent and heresy.
A somewhat charmless affair which, while striking to look at, fails to come to dramatic life.
It amounts to less than the sum of its artfully conceived parts but remains a nice and visually interesting film.
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
The film looks great and the story is interesting enough for adults. It may be a little too complex and intense for young children.
Bland, over-stuffed, chaotic and ultimately underwhelming for both kids and adults.
Latest News for The Tale of Despereaux
April 06, 2009:
RT on DVD: Bedtime Stories, Yes Man, Doubt Hit Shelves
This week's new releases include a few Hollywood takes on science fiction (Fox's remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still; the 1984 sequel 2010: The Year We Make Contact on... More...
December 19, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Twilight Shines In The UK Reviews
It's Christmas week in the UK cinemas, but instead of any festive films on offer, we have the eagerly anticipated (by young girls everywhere...) romantic vampire movie Twilight.... More...
December 19, 2008:
Exclusive photos from William Ross's scoring session to The Tale of Despereaux ![]()
More...
December 18, 2008:
Critics Consensus: No To Yes Man; Seven Pounds Is Too Heavy
This week at the movies, we've got self-improvement (Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel), mysterious altruism (Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith and Rosario... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Tale of Despereaux at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Tale of Despereaux at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

