List Price: $19.98Amazon.com's Price: $14.99 You Save: $4.99 (25%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Average Rating: 
|
Editorial Review:
Product Description: THE TALE OF THREE UNLIKELY HEROES - A MISFIT MOUSE WHO PREFERS READING BOOKS TO EATING THEM, AN UNHAPP RAT WHO SCHEMES TO LEAVE THE DARKNESS OF THE DUNGEON & A BUMBLING SERVANT GIRL WITH CAULIFLOWER EARS - WHOSE FATES ARE INTERTWINED WITH THAT OF THE CASTLE'S PRINCESS.
Amazon.com: The 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)
Related Items:
|
|
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal Studios
EAN: 0025193229427
Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: Universal
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageEnglishSubtitledFrenchSubtitledSpanishSubtitledFrenchDubbedSpanishDubbed
Manufacturer: Universal
MPN: 61032294
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 07, 2009
Running Time: 93 minutes
Studio: Universal
Theatrical Release Date: December 19, 2008
|
Customer Reviews
|
Charming!
|
|
This movie develops slowly. It doesn't involve catchy songs or eye-catching color. It's an old fashioned story. If you have a child who has the patience to listen, then he/she will enjoy this movie. If your child is use to a lot of slapstick comedy, some action and laughs from the get-go, and every few minutes, he/she will be bored.
The Tales of Despereaux is a movie to envelope yourselves in. A sweet, thought-provoking story to tuck into and appreciate.
|
|
|