If you've never read Kate DiCamillo's A Tale of Despereaux, a charming little book about a brave little mouse and his attraction to "the light" that reading represents, then you might like the newly released children's movie based on the book very much.
But if you have read the book, then prepare to be disappointed. I was, at least. I understand that all movies based on books must, inherently, take huge liberties with the plots of those books. One simply can't squeeze all the exposition into a 90 to 120-minute time frame and still create a film fast-paced enough to hold an audience's attention. But did the creators of the new Despereaux movie have to change it so much? The writers added unnecessary plot elements (such as a weird magical vegetable man who inspires the soup-making), and a seafaring backstory for Roscuro the rat, and they changed (gratuitously, in my view) major details about the characters and their motivations. The saucy female chef who lets Desperpeaux go at a pivotal moment is now a man, Andre, who turns the making of soup into a village-wide community event, with the help of vegetable man. Despereaux's parents, especially his mother - a vain and selfish mouse in make-up - is softened up considerably in the film. Instead of a colorful and selfish crank, an interesting character in other words, she's just another worrying mom.
And don't get me started on Gregory the jailer and Boticelli, Rosuro's rat mentor. Their facelifts are downright strange.
True, the artistry behind the animation is brilliant. And the casting - Emma Watson, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Tracey Ullman, and Matthew Broderick among other talented celebrities - is spot on.
I just thought most of the changes were unwarranted and, ultimately, condescending to children.
I'd be interested in what others who have read the book thought. There's just no comparison.
