A more cynical reviewer than myself might suggest that Universal Pictures' 'The Tale of Despereaux', the animated story of a plucky young mouse named Despereaux who must ensure the future of a local town by restoring the fine cuisine that it was once known for, might be relying to a certain extent on the success of last year's Pixar-produced success story 'Ratatouille', the animated story of a plucky young mouse named Remy who must ensure the future of a local restaurant by restoring the fine cuisine that it was once known for.

Of course, this would be a ridiculous assertion. Just because it happened with 'A Bug's Life' ('Antz'), 'Finding Nemo' ('Shark Tale') and even once before with 'Ratatouille' ('Flushed Away'), doesn't mean that that's the case here. Similarly, Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman and William H. Macy are definitely involved in the project for its story and heart and not the sizable wads of cash they stand to receive for going into a recording studio for a day and a half and blankly reading some words off a page.

 

Anyway, the whole thing's moot because the film's a big pile of shit. Incomprehensible plots, outdated animation and a Sigourney Weaver voiceover that's so mind-numbingly patronising to kids and adults alike that it makes you want to reach through the screen and physically shake some sense into her.

 

2 minutes of mourning for the career of Matthew Broderick out of 5

'INTERESTING' FACT: Despereaux is one of 14 films submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category at next year's Oscars. It is not the worst of the 14.

 

by Charlie Lyne

 

 

Film Trailers by Filmtrailer.com