Warning: Movie Despereaux

[RACHELSMOM1]

At some point in their lives, my little princesses will most likely deal with the loss of a beloved pet. As a dog breeder for 12 years, I have experienced death many times, and it is just a part of the cycle of life. (Remember "The Lion King?). My girls have even seen puppies that died shortly after birth (or were stillborn), and they have witnessed my tears and grieving. This would be the reason my little ones could see "Marley and Me". Valuable life lessons come in many forms. Just my opinion, everyone should do what they feel is best for their own children.

 

[IcePrincess467]

Really? I read the book to my 3rd graders last year and they loved it! I started reading the book to my 2nd graders this year and so far they love it too...

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Hmmm, my cousin took my kids to see it yesterday and they enjoyed it. They are in 1st and 2nd grade. After reading this thread I asked them if there were any scary parts and they looked at me like I was nuts.

I guess what's scary to some kids is not scary to others.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I guess what's scary to some kids is not scary to others.

I spoke to my sister late last night. She told me my 3 year old niece won't stop talking about the movie. She's already asking for the DVD and a mouse doll.

 

[tam626]

I was going to take my 3 year old to see it, but I think I'll skip it. Bolt was his first theater movie & he loved it. He actually sat still & watched the whole thing. I am considering Bedtime Stories but not sure if it'll hold his interest.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I don't get the big deal. Life can be scary and unless you're going to stick a paper bag over your kids head for the rest of his/her life, they need to learn how to cope with the scary things too.

As for the movie, we went Saturday and while it was slow and now quite as entertaining as I had hoped, it wasn't at all as scary as some are making it out to be. The theater FULL of kids of all ages, wee ones included, were giggling and enjoying themselves and that's all that matters.

BTW... the bottom line of Despereaux's tale is all about no matter how small you are, you can still "think big" and be brave.

 

[carj]

I don't get the big deal. Life can be scary and unless you're going to stick a paper bag over your kids head for the rest of his/her life, they need to learn how to cope with the scary things too.

As for the movie, we went Saturday and while it was slow and now quite as entertaining as I had hoped, it wasn't at all as scary as some are making it out to be. The theater FULL of kids of all ages, wee ones included, were giggling and enjoying themselves and that's all that matters.

BTW... the bottom line of Despereaux's tale is all about no matter how small you are, you can still "think big" and be brave.

I don't think that the issue is that parents want to avoid all of life's lessons. I think that many parents went to this movie expecting something very different than what was portrayed. I don't see anyone here freaking out so I don't think that it is a big deal either. From what I have read, parents are just reporting the reactions of their children.

We see just about every movie for kids that comes out. I thought this one was one of the worst. That is my opinion. (I wasn't crazy about Wall-E either because I thought that it was dull and pretty gloomy. ) That again is my opinion.

We don't go to the movies for a life lesson. We go for entertainment!
Isn't it great that we all have different opinions? Otherwise, it would be pretty dull.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I don't think that the issue is that parents want to avoid all of life's lessons. I think that many parents went to this movie expecting something very different than what was portrayed. I don't see anyone here freaking out so I don't think that it is a big deal either. From what I have read, parents are just reporting the reactions of their children.

We see just about every movie for kids that comes out. I thought this one was one of the worst. That is my opinion. (I wasn't crazy about Wall-E either because I thought that it was dull and pretty gloomy. ) That again is my opinion.

We don't go to the movies for a life lesson. We go for entertainment!
Isn't it great that we all have different opinions? Otherwise, it would be pretty dull.

Ahhh well, my part about my not finding it as entertaining as I had hoped was missed I see. Oh well.

Yes, the world is full of rear ends, IOW, opinions. I just find that often times the parents are exaggerating the kiddos reactions. My only take on the movie was, that it's not scary in the least, unless you're one of the mice characters in the movie It was however, a bit boring. The few funny parts and heart warming moments were few and far between. Maybe Remy should write in a protest on how his kind was portrayed. tsk tsk!!!

Wall-e we all LOVED. That little guy is just the cutest!

I was interested to see that Marley is alot like a modern day Old Yeller, sad. I don't know if I can go see that one this year. Looks like we'll go see Bolt next.

 

[mom2aredhead]

We see just about every movie for kids that comes out. I thought this one was one of the worst. That is my opinion. (I wasn't crazy about Wall-E either because I thought that it was dull and pretty gloomy. ) That again is my opinion.

We don't go to the movies for a life lesson. We go for entertainment!
Isn't it great that we all have different opinions? Otherwise, it would be pretty dull.

Us too - and I completely agree. I want to be entertained.

Movies like Wall-E, and Happy Feet which have messages about as subtle as a sledgehammer annoy me. I'm all for "teaching moments" and movies that inspire dialogue. But when the previews show happy little dancing penguins or robots, and it's marketed TO KIDS as a movie with happy little dancing penguins or robots, then I expect to be entertained by happy little dancing penguins or robots. I do not want to be beat over the head with messages about overfishing or excess and gluttony disguised as a kids movie. If I want to watch a documentary, I'll do so. And btw, for anyone else that feels this way, I highly recommend Bolt. Very entertaining without being even the slightest bit preachy.
We had planned on skipping Despereaux anyway, and this thread kind of confirms it. We do plan on seeing Bedtime Stories later this week...my son wants to see it rain gumballs and I'm an Adam Sandler fan - sounds like a win-win to me!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Us too - and I completely agree. I want to be entertained.

Movies like Wall-E, and Happy Feet which have messages about as subtle as a sledgehammer annoy me. I'm all for "teaching moments" and movies that inspire dialogue. But when the previews show happy little dancing penguins or robots, and it's marketed TO KIDS as a movie with happy little dancing penguins or robots, then I expect to be entertained by happy little dancing penguins or robots. I do not want to be beat over the head with messages about overfishing or excess and gluttony disguised as a kids movie. If I want to watch a documentary, I'll do so. And btw, for anyone else that feels this way, I highly recommend Bolt. Very entertaining without being even the slightest bit preachy.
We had planned on skipping Despereaux anyway, and this thread kind of confirms it. We do plan on seeing Bedtime Stories later this week...my son wants to see it rain gumballs and I'm an Adam Sandler fan - sounds like a win-win to me!

I definitely felt the same way about Happy Feet - NOT what it was marketed as at all.

I'm curious now about Bolt, though. I generally don't do any "dog" movies, as so many are sad (i.e. Marley and Old Yeller, previously mentioned.) - Is Bolt actually cheerful?

 

[nessz79]

We had heard that it was geared for older children, luckily. I heard it would not be very interesting for young children. Glad we avoided it for now.

 

[design_mom]

I'm curious now about Bolt, though. I generally don't do any "dog" movies, as so many are sad (i.e. Marley and Old Yeller, previously mentioned.) - Is Bolt actually cheerful?

It's an adventure story. I wouldn't say "cheerful" necessarily, but definitely not sad like Old Yeller. (There are lots of cute/funny parts though.)

Although Bolt is depressed when he learns that he doesn't really have super powers, he learns lessons about friendship and relying on others -- and ends up "saving the day" even without super powers.

There are some lessons in it, but they're not hit-you-over-the-head preachy. It's a very good movie and a lot of fun. I *loved* it. My favorite movie in the last several years, I'd say.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I definitely felt the same way about Happy Feet - NOT what it was marketed as at all.

I'm curious now about Bolt, though. I generally don't do any "dog" movies, as so many are sad (i.e. Marley and Old Yeller, previously mentioned.) - Is Bolt actually cheerful?

Here's my review of Bolt that I posted when it first came out...we saw the regular 2D version, not 3D.

I was able to easily get past the fact that Miley Cyrus was cast as one of the voices, which to me was nothing but a desperate attempt to get her legion of fans to see it. The story was cute, the characters very likeable, and unlike the message-laden Wall-E (which was as subliminal as a sledge hammer to the skull), I felt like I was being entertained, not sitting through a life lesson and being scolded for the evils of the world.
Without giving away too much, I'll say that the story was kind of "The Truman Show" meets "Milo and Otis". Bolt is a dog on a TV show, but he also lives on the set and truly believes he has superpowers. He is fiercely protected from outside influence by the producers. Penny, his co-star and owner truly loves him and is devastated when he accidentally gets lost, then Bolt and his new found friends make their way across the country to try to get back to Hollywood. The hamster kind of steals the show, btw.
My 5 year old loved it, although the whole "TV show vs reality" thing was a teeny bit confusing for him. There is also a scene at the end which could be a tad disturbing for sensitive kids, which I'll reveal here with the proper
*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Highlight to read...
At the end of the movie, Penny is filming a scene with a replacement dog and the set catches on fire. Penny is trapped in the studio surrounded by flames. Bolt comes to rescue her, but the 2 of them become trapped and Penny is unconscious from the smoke and Bolt is covered with soot and very listless. Of course they end up being rescued by the fire department (it is Disney after all) but I could tell that my little guy was a little nervous watching the hero dog and his loyal owner trapped in a burning building.

Other than that, I can't recall anything "inappropriate" or edgy for young kids. I could kind of tell where the 3D effects would have been had I been in that theater wearing the glasses, but it wasn't distracting at all. I recommend it - it's been a while since I laughed out loud at a kid movie, and this one got me to do it.

 

[lntsmom]

moviemakers think they can improve the magic found in great books by refocusing the story. When I heard that the first 30 minutes is about Roscuro and not Despereaux, I told my boys that we can wait for it to come out on video.

We went to see Bedtime Stories...the theater was packed, everyone in there laughed all through the show...one adult man even began applauding at one point about 2/3rds the way through!

Go see Bedtime Story...it is a great family movie!

 

[lntsmom]

I'm curious now about Bolt, though. I generally don't do any "dog" movies, as so many are sad (i.e. Marley and Old Yeller, previously mentioned.) - Is Bolt actually cheerful?

They yank your chain, but it's a happy ending. Just remind the kiddies that it's Disney and there's always a happy ending.

I agree about the preachy movies...the one I have never been able to stand is Pocahantas. UGH. That whole "colors of the wind" song made me want to toss my cookies!

Oh, and for anyone who's fed up with the dead dog movies, there's a teen novel called "No More Dead Dogs". Get it at your library...you'll enjoy it!

 

[lntsmom]

The miscarriage part was very sad. They went to the doctor and couldn't find a heartbeat. I am not sure that my children evern "got" that part. The neighbor is stabbed or maybe shot and John goes out to wait with her, help her until help arrives.

For us, the last 30 minutes was just hard to take. Marley gets sick, and you know that it is just a matter of time, then he gets sick again. You watch the dog being put to sleep and watch him die. Then, if you aren't in tears yet, the family has a funeral for Marley. It was just so very sad.

I do realize that dying is a part of life, but I wouldn't have taken them to see this movie because I wasn't looking for some big life lesson. I just wanted to hang out, eat some popcorn and enjoy a family friendly movie. Don't get me wrong, it was a great movie. I really think that they missed the mark with their marketing. It was NOT a kid movie, even if there was an adorable, mischieveous dog.

I'm glad I saw this...you know, my kids have lived these things. Well, the neighbor didn't get shot, but he was on the ground with a SWAT rifle at the back of his head...and we were asked to keep his dog in our yard so the cops didn't have to shoot it, too. The other things, we've lived.

I'm SO glad that we didn't go see this movie. We've had enough darkness in our lives. I marvel at people who need to pay someone to induce sadness- we get way enough of that for free! Thank heaven I chose Bedtime Stories!!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Have to agree about Despereaux. It was boring and dark. My 8 year old liked it fine. My 3 year old got bored halfway. I could not wait for it to be over! I had no idea it was not a happy cartoon movie. And we even picked it over bedtime stories because I thought the 3 year old would be more interested in a cartoon movie. Boy was I wrong! A total waste of time and money.

Btw, loved Bolt! We will definately be buying that on dvd.

 

[sskem96]

I took DD9 to see Despereaux on Friday because she read the book at school and absolutely loved it. Neither of us liked the movie. I certainly didn't find it scary or dark, just terribly boring. At times, it was just still illustrations on the screen with a narrator talking.

DD said that it was hard for her to follow because there are actually 4 books within the book, and in the movie they were in the wrong order. I never actually read the book myself, so I don't know about that, but I was desperately wishing we'd gone to see Marley and Me instead! (She'd already seen Bedtime Stories the day before with her Granny).

 

[jenjersnap]

My oldest read the Tale of Desperaux in school and has been asking to see it so I took him today.

First of all, I am glad I didn't take the younger ones because it would have been too intense and scary for them.

Secondly, DS thought the movie was "okay" but the book was much better - he said they left out all the funny bits and re-arranged the story a little. He made me want to read the book myself!

 

[laughinplace199]

I took DD9 & DS7 to see Despereaux. They thought it was good, but not as good as the book - and they were right. I thought it was slow and kind of boring, and some stuff didn't make sense if you hadn't read the book (even though the movie wasn't exactly like the book).

My DS7 was disappointed that Miggery didn't cut Depereaux's tail off like she did in the book.