Alec Baxter

“Despereaux” is a pleasantly immersive, beautifully animated, occasionally sleepy tale.

The best thing about this magical film is undoubtedly the storyline. It drives the film but doesn't control it, which keeps it from being predictable and bland. The humor is lovable, and the characters are the type you wish to meet as a youngling. This is a timeless Disney Channel classic, and I hope another film is down the road.

I thought this was going to be another modern mediocre Disney Channel show that was hidden in the shadows of Girl Meets World or Andi Mack or Jessie or Good Luck Charlie. Boy was I wrong! This show is a little corny, but it's really good. I watched the entire thing in a day and I didn't regret it. In just 9 episodes you get to watch Mia grow as a person as she slowly starts coming out of her shell while growing as a dancer. I didn't expect it to be so emotional. But I cried twice during the first three episodes, and three times during the final episode. The music is really catchy and emotional and fitting, the character development is really prominent, and the acting was honestly the best I've seen in a while and each performance was better than the last. It is very, very unlikely, but Disney should give us a season 2. If they don't I understand. It's hard to top such a perfect show by bringing it back, especially after the finale. What I loved most about the show is the realistic things about it. Not chessy whatsoever. And the fact they didn't try to incorporate Mia and Ritz as dating. What makes this show so great, is that everything matters, or will matter at one point and that episodes generally pick up moments after the previous ones end, it's not a sitcom. It stays light enough to watch with children, yet it keeps a sort of dark feel. The acting is honestly really impressive, especially from Sofia Wylie, the best actress from Andi Mack. She can really show how Mia feels about her friends and family and her passion for dance; The way she just lights up in the finale during the performance of the last episode Dream. I This show is a masterpiece.

Many aspects in this movie work surprisingly well together. The performances are great and the dialogue works. It's a love letter to all the writers and comics out there. It works for the kids and is able to make a smile on the faces of the adults. The best thing is that the leading kid feels like a kid. She's smart, but not annoying.