THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX
RYAN: I am thrilled to report the triumph that is the animated feature “The Tale of Despereaux.”
CAROLINE: And by triumph, you mean I probably would have hated it and you loved it?
RYAN: No. I believe this is one of the animated movies you would have adored, had you been so inclined to see it, as you are once in a while with a kids’ movie.
CAROLINE: LBH, I would have gotten bored an hour into it.
RYAN: That would be so you. It’s a really beautiful fairy tale in the romantic, classic way of telling those stories. There’s something very majestic about it and there’s a wonderful moral. And interestingly, I’ve always thought the best animated movies are those that appeal to all-ages audiences with innuendo, etc…
CAROLINE: Right.
RYAN: But the story is so good here and the way the story is told is so great that it’s still completely winning for all ages.
CAROLINE: So how’s Matthew Broderick as Despereaux?
RYAN: He’s terrif. It has the most star-studded cast I know of in any movie in recent history. Mr. Sarah Jessica Parker, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Robbie Coltrane, Frances Conroy, Frank Langella, Richard Jenkins, and Charles Shaughnessy. I mean, have you ever?
CAROLINE: I don’t know who Charles Shaughnessy is.
RYAN: He was the lead Brit guy in TV’s “The Nanny.”
CAROLINE: Oh. I never watched that show. And that’s quite a cast, but when I think of what names get kids in seats, I think more, like, Chris Rock, Jack Black, etc.
RYAN: It’s not a sexy cast; it’s a talented cast. The story is great. It’s endearing and scary in part but just magical without any actual direct, literal magic. Sigourney Weaver is the narrator in a really fresh take on narration. She’s very laid back sounding, yet involved.
CAROLINE: Okay. I still can’t say I’m sad I missed it though.
RYAN: The animation is really breathtaking. It’s unlike any movie I’ve ever seen. The look and concept is like some of the most gorgeous book illustrations come to life in computer animation.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: I must bestow upon this film the following label: Special. It is marvelously engaging, in theme and execution. It’s like moving artwork. I recommend it for all ages.
— RATING —
