The Tale of Despereaux
by Robert Stevenhagen, Sam Fell
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DVD details
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
DVD Reviews of The Tale of Despereaux
DVD Review: Exceeded Expectations But Not for Everyone
Summary: 4 Stars
The Tale of Despereaux is one of those animated films that I'm really glad I went into with low expectations. After all, I reasoned going in, this represents Universal Pictures' lone foray into a market dominated by heavy hitters like Pixar and DreamWorks. Reviews at the film's theatrical debut were certainly mixed but the cast was nothing short of epic and the book on which the film is based seems pretty well accepted.
The DVD was the perfect compromise in my opinion and I went in to watching it expecting a smaller budget version of Ratatouille with a slight fairy tale slant (ala Shrek). What I came away with was a pretty satisfying experience quite unlike any other animated feature on the market today.
The story goes something like this: Three unlikely heroes - a stunted, big-eared mouse who prefers reading books to eating them, an unhappy rat who schemes to leave the darkness of the dungeon, and a bumbling servant girl with dreams of being the princess of the kingdom- come together in grand fashion within the halls of the king's castle.
Calling The Tale of Despereaux a modern-day fairy tale is really the best way to describe the tones, moods and themes contained within. So thorough are the small details contributing to these comparisons that it is incredibly easy to begin to question whether this was in fact based on a fairly recent book or something much, much older.
All of the classic ingredients are here: An unlikely hero, a medieval European setting, a narrow-minded king, hulking (if extremely unintelligent) knights, talking rodents and so on. However, the formula begins to sway slightly the moment the viewer realizes that this singular tale is essentially the culmination of three separate stories that just so happen to come together fairly neatly by the end.
Of course it's the title character we're expected to relate with so his segments are, naturally, the most abundant and linear but the story thread concerning the rat Roscuro isn't too far behind. Fortunately Sigourney Weaver's impeccable narration welcomingly strings the viewer along on the transitions and future pertinence of the story's alterations.
As expected, however, the tale as a whole doesn't flow quite as well as it should; particularly if the goal is to appeal to and attempt to hold the ever-fluctuating interest of a child. Since I've never read the book on which this piece is based, it's impossible for me to confirm whether the way this story is told is a masterpiece translation of the original material or a fairly scattered assemblage of its own design so I will leave it at this: The story is a bit complex and disjointed to appeal to younger viewers. The sheer cuteness of Despereaux and his cohorts may be enough to carry the momentum for a while but it appears kids, the younger ones especially, tend to get bored by the midway point of the film.
On the flip side, the structure is pretty well plotted for older kids/ adults to enjoy. There is a bit of fairly dry humor strewn about but, and not unlike most Rated G feature films, it is wise to go in expecting little in the way of layered dialog or even visual silliness to inspire a chuckle. Indeed Despereaux tends to take itself pretty seriously for the most part. Fortunately the story is developed enough to justify the heavy burden.
The visuals themselves are quite impressive and what I initially suspected would hold this film back from Pixar or DreamWorks status. It turns out I was quite incorrect in such assumptions as the color palette, lighting, texturing and animation are all first rate all the way through. In fact the near-caricatured humans bring a very unique visual flair to the whole thing. If looking at animated talking mice and rats seems a bit unrealistic, not to worry, the humans will offset any such concerns as will the dazzling cast and their stellar deliveries (Dustin Hoffman in particular brings a whole lot of class and depth to the fold).
In all The Tale of Despereaux is one of the more pleasant surprises I've come across. I could not go as far as to say it's perfect entertainment for all ages (as kids, the primary audience no less, seem to become a bit bogged down in the narrative) and adults capable of appreciating its quaint charm will likely end up watching something a bit more, well adult. However, there seems to be a segment of older kids, young teens who will appreciate this one for its strengths which, in case you haven't already realized, are quite numerous.
Description 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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