TALE OF DESPEREAUX: REVIEW
With
the school holidays winding down, this film is the perfect alternative to take
the children to for harmless entertainment told in a traditional way.
The
Tale of Despereaux is based on a popular young adult book by Kate DiCamillo and
the big screen translation resembles those elements. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver,
her soothing, empathetic tones create an almost calming effect just as if a parent
is reading a bedtime story to their wide awake child. Her tone is iconic, slowing
the pace in between some frantic comic set pieces.
The story
centres on a misfit mouse with massively oversized ears and born without the prerequisite
fear of cats, humans and the outside world. Despereaux, as he is known, is a dreamer
with dignity. This puts off the fellow mice inhabitants who are mainly old school
adults with set ways to survive.
Eventually Desperaux is banished
from the mouse world due to extreme curiosity which inturn upsets some elders.
He teams up with an unhappy rat (Dustin Hoffman) who has fun in planning schemes
and together they go on a kind of safe but sincere adventure. Obstacles involve
a bumbling servant's girl, a gladiator style showdown with a slippery cat and
a princess who catches the eye of our pint sized critter.
Princess
Pea, voiced by Emma Watson (Hermonie of Harry Potter) is delightful, accepting
the advances from the smitten Despereaux and his help to save her Kingdom from
evil forces. The detailed visuals have a look and feel for hand drawn work - of
course they're computer generated but the retro style helps the story flourish
without whiz bang effects. The unstoppable Pixar animation team had a similar
irresistible rodent in 'Ratatouille', but this little guy has his own look and
wayward clarity which will also appeal to wide eyed juniors.
There
is plenty of amusing slapstick and enough action to hold the attention of both
boys and girls. However, the emphasis on plot could cause toddler aged children
minds to wander. Matthew Broderick is charming as our little hero - his youthful
voice is particularly laid back.
An array of sullen characters
that flit in and out of the tale will keep adults happy including Kevin Kline,
Robbie Coltrane and 'Back To The Future's' Christopher Lloyd. Judging by the jolly
reaction of the youthful audience in this reviewer's screening, the quest Despereaux
takes and his unlikely love for a human was accepted and hit all the right notes.
Shane
A. Bassett
