Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 6+
Touching, beautiful tale is an excellent family film.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although it's animated, this adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's popular Newbery-winning fantasy about a brave mouse tackles mature themes like longing, grief, loyalty, and hurt. There's nothing worrisome in the story aside from a relatively minor character's sudden heart attack and a few scenes of implied violence (there isn't any blood or guns, though Despereaux has a fascination with swords). But because the story's pacing is slower than most animated films and the themes could be difficult for preschool children to grasp, it may be hard for the family's littlest members to understand what some of the characters are feeling.
- Families can talk about typical fairy-tale adventures. How is this movie similar and different from other fairy tales?
- How many "heroes" are in this story? What makes Despereaux a different
kind of hero?
- What messages does that send to people watching his
story?
- Kids who are familiar with the book can compare the novel with
the film. Did it meet your expectations?
- What changes were made? Did
the changes help the movie? Which adaptations of your favorite books do
you like, and which were disappointing? Why?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Characters' fates are all intertwined, so when each of them makes a wise, unselfish decision, everyone lives happily ever after.
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Positive role models: A brave little mouse refuses to cower and instead decides to live by
the chivalrous code of knights. A rat acts against his self interest to
save a princess.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: A relatively minor character dies of a sudden heart attack; a group of rats threatens to kill a mouse; a rat is killed by a cat (off-camera); a couple of characters are tied up and imprisoned; a mob of rats is bloodthirsty; Despereaux duels with rats and outruns human guards.
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Sexy stuff: Not an issue
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Language: Not an issue
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue