'The Tale of Despereaux' review

r.ontario from greece - January 01, 2009 at 5:56 PM

A waste of money. The story is so depressing and it's frightening for kids. Why can't the studios make a funny, cheerful, clever movie for kids instead of this over-dramatized junk?

r.ontario from greece - January 01, 2009 at 5:24 PM

AWFUL! This movie should NOT be rated "G". It's definitely not for kids, and utterly boring for adults. It's scary, violent, dark, and some of the characters are just plain sadistic or weird.

bhpionus from California - December 27, 2008 at 5:13 AM

Just saw this movie on Thursday. I was underwhelmed to say the least. Poor story construction that was too simplistic for intelligent adults and too wordy for the youngest, really weigh this movie down. I totally agree with the the critic's issue with the use of celebrity voices. At most one or two would be ok but all of them were big names in television and film. The artwork was nice, but nothing special or distinctive. Dito for the music. The ending didn't fit with the tone of the rest of the story. It just seemed they ran out of ideas and money so they rushed for a quick ending. Overall, I would say wait for the video and then only rent it for a night. Laying out anything more than $3-5 for an entire family to see it is a waste of money and time.

BoyFacedDog from Lake View Heights - December 25, 2008 at 10:48 PM

So was it the voice acting that you didn't like? The artwork, was it somehow lacking depth or originality? Did the director do a bad job bringing the book to the screen? I really don't understand what 'the film does little to appeal to your senses' means. Perhaps you could brush up on your language skills and come back with a better review. I'd ask you to read the book but somehow I feel that may be asking too much.

OakParkDad from Oak Park, IL - December 25, 2008 at 3:30 PM

“The Tale of Despereaux” movie is disappointing; especially for those who have read Kate DiCamillo’s Newberry Award-winning book. I loved reading the book to my kids. I would have had to choke through a story like that presented in the movie. Even with Sigourney Weaver’s pleasant narration, the movie bears little resemblance to the emotions, and at times, the perfidy, in the book. Reader, do you know what perfidy is? Those who read the book know. I can only guess if it was to meet the “G”-rating, if adapting the story couldn’t be done in a 94-minute film, or if it was just poor screen-writing. What is tragic is that such an enjoyable book has been shredded into a mediocre film about a land of soup, a rat, and by the way, a mouse named Despereaux. The animation was very good. Some of the build-up and acting was good. But, if you want a great story, read the “The Tale of Despereaux”.

sydster71 from Utah - December 23, 2008 at 2:12 AM

My children and I read the book before going to see the movie and all I can say is the movie was such the disappointment. It was made to be politically correct for the children leaving out the best parts of the book. The kids seemed to enjoy it, but as an adult it was a waste of time and money. If you are a fan of the book I would highly recommend that you do not see this movie.

Speed from The Real World - December 20, 2008 at 6:20 PM

Oh for a good movie of any genre that can please leave off all the social PC which amounts to reviisionism of the worst sort. Look it up; revisionism means Marxian socialism. Our children and youth are being brainwashed on a grand scale. This movie is not the worst offender. It's just everywhere. If you are over 50, few of the movies coming out make any sense or have any factual historical social basis.

Kate87 from Henry - December 19, 2008 at 8:51 AM

I haven't seen the movie yet, but like most movies I haven't seen I read the reviews. But I never take the critic reviews seriously. Because all critic reviews are have some cynical retort. I mean it’s a kid’s movie!! I read the book and I am of course assuming that it only followed the outline of the book and changed most of the happenings from the chapter, but I am still going to go see it because I loved the book and frankly I don't care what the critics say. They love to hear themselves talk and mostly love to read what they wrote...the craving for power? I wouldn't go as far as that, but the down right ridiculous bashing on kids movie is quite unnerving.