The film contains a certain storybook quality that is quietly appealing, though the story is ultimately flat and uninvolving.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Mar 3, 2024

The mediocrity of the story is rivaled only by its terribly indistinctive character designs and video game equivalent animation.

| Original Score: 3/10 | Nov 28, 2020

With so many story threads to weave together, the makers of The Tale of Despereaux can't help getting their plot in a tangle, but Sigourney Weaver's delightfully wry narration prevents things from unravelling completely.

| Nov 22, 2020

The film likely contains enough of DiCamillo's spirit and intelligence to please fans of the vastly superior novel.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 25, 2020

With its quaint fairy tale look and multilayered storytelling style, The Tale of Despereaux offers a refreshing change of pace from the usual computer-animated movies.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 9, 2018

| Original Score: B- | Feb 18, 2012

Certainly bears a superficial resemblance to Ratatouille, but it's a better film in several ways.

| Aug 16, 2011

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Apr 4, 2011

It amounts to less than the sum of its artfully conceived parts but remains a nice and visually interesting film.

Full Review | Original Score: 73/100 | Apr 8, 2009

To gegonos oti sto eikosalepto mporei na se riksei se bathy ypno, mporei na einai kai to kalytero kamoyflarisma aytoy toy anapanteha anepeisodiakoy ki anyperblita baretoy kinoymenoy ap' ta shediastika grafeia tis Universal Animation, poy den ehei kan to t

| Original Score: 1/5 | Mar 22, 2009

The film looks great and the story is interesting enough for adults. It may be a little too complex and intense for young children.

| Original Score: C+ | Feb 11, 2009

Bland, over-stuffed, chaotic and ultimately underwhelming for both kids and adults.

| Original Score: 4.5/10 | Jan 31, 2009

The cinematic equivalent of a cozy bedtime story, warmly told with loving care.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 29, 2009

Ego, fear and loathing will come between friends and drive family members apart in a surprisingly sophisticated journey for a kiddie flick.

| Jan 9, 2009

Scratch a CGI fairytale and you'll find an allegory about class, particularly if rodents are involved.

| Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jan 9, 2009

If you're an animation fan, don't wait for the DVD - The Tale Of Despereaux deserves to be seen on the big screen.

| Jan 8, 2009

There are no cheesy pop-culture gags or similarly wacky wisecracks; the emphasis is purely on action and adventure, and it pays off wonderfully by the end.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 8, 2009

A thoroughly engaging, slightly offbeat adventure with solid themes running through it

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 1, 2009

For animation fans looking for a little more class and a lot less of the commonplace crass, this makes for a decent timepass.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2009

We may now never see the movie that captures the delicate grace of DiCamillo's story. ... [But it] is still a delightful, entertaining time at the movies.

| Original Score: B | Dec 23, 2008