“Bravery, chivalry and courage” is the code of this little mouse and warrior at heart.

Three stories intertwined, three unlikely heroes unknowingly linked. The tale of Despereaux is a fantastic adventure at a time when castles and warriors ruled the day. How then can you imagine that a tiny, strange little misfit mouse such as Despereaux Tilling (Matthew Broderick) would not only save the day, but a Princess, a lost and lonely rat, the lost relationship between a father and his beloved daughter but also a towns love and tradition for great SOUP! Yes, I said soup. Our story begins in the Kingdom of Dorr where Soup Day is looked forward to as much if not more than Christmas. 

The King, his portly wife and beautiful daughter are adored by their people and the Castle’s Chef Andre (Kevin Kline) is looked upon as a genius. Until one fateful day when a simple mishap changes not only the royal families future but the entire kingdoms happiness and thus turning all the lands (and also their souls) dark, dry and sad.

Little Despereaux is born into your typical, cowardly mouse family but there is nothing typical about him. His appearance is adorable, as far as my opinion goes, but to the other mice he is quite strange. Large ears and short stature (even for a mouse) make him stand out but that is not where the peculiarities end. Despereaux is fearless and mice cannot be fearless. His parents do all they can to make him conform but when he chooses reading a book instead of eating a book they can no longer protect him from banishment.

Roscuro the rat (Dustin Hoffman) is not your typical rat either. He loves the sunlight, good food and is honorable. That is until a small “misstep” changes not only his path but that of the kingdom of Dorr . His own banishment of sorts forces his own tender heart to turn dark and dire decisions are made.

Miggery Sow (Tracey Ullman) dreamt of being a Princess and truly in her heart believed that one day she would be. She was not the prettiest of girls and definitely not the brightest but her dreams were huge. Her life takes a turn when she is traded by her uncle to the castle to work as a maid. There her visions of royalty come closer but her hold on reality slowly begins to slip.

What do these three have in common? A little mouse with the heart of a Warrior, a rat with a tender nature thrown into darkness and a maid with delusions of grandeur but “so much heart that some of it had to be put on the outside”. Their stories intertwine in an attempt to save a Princess and a kingdom.

I have to tell you that the artwork for this film was breathtaking and at times I thought I was looking at a painting by Dutch artist Het Meisje met de Parel. Truly a feast for the eye. Despereaux himself makes you want to run out and purchase a collectable toy (if any one knows where I can get one, let me know). I would have to tell you that this film was not just for your kids, but for adults as well. Beautifully written, engaging in the way that it told the separate stories of Despereaux, Roscuro and Miggery and then wove them together in the end. I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned who the narrator is yet!!!! None other than Ms. Sigourney Weaver herself. Can I tell you that it is easy to know that she is a mother by her gentle telling of this tale? Ms. Weaver chose to do this narration only after being told that she would be more of a protective and guiding, gently voice and not just a cold story teller. Wow, did she get the job done. Loved her. It is not often that one brags about a NARRATOR for pete's sake, but she really did it. One last comment I want to make about the film is that it is such a great movie that you leave feeling that you would not mind seeing it again and again. This says a lot about the film because unlike CineMarcos who purchases movies based upon his “Can See it Again" factor, I usually see a movie once and I’m good for all time. Take your kids to see The Tale of Despereaux but also go for yourself. Especially if you are in need of a feel good film, this one will do the job.

Review By Priscilla 
priscilla@smartcine.com

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