The Tale of Despereaux

Kate DiCamillo’s Newbury Award-winning children’s book has been translated into a boring, flat film. Despereaux (voiced by Matthew Broderick) is an odd mouse with huge ears who loves to read fairy tales about knights in shining armor rescuing damsels in distress. He also loves the company of a human being, Princess Pea (voiced by Emma Watson). Despereaux’s act of consorting with humans infuriates the conservative Mouse Council, which decides to banish him. Despite his outlaw status, Despereaux gets a chance to become a fairy-tale hero himself when the princess becomes a damsel in distress. Although the animation is top-notch, and the A-list cast of voices is impressive, this 100-minute movie only needed about 50 minutes to tell its story.