Trailer Blazer: 'Bolt' vs. 'Tale of Despereaux'

Christie Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 05:25 PM EST

Bolt, definitely Bolt. I'm having difficulty seeing how exactly "Despereaux" has that hand-drawn feel. I think Bolt does, because it actually has paintings as some backgrounds. I know a lot of people (including myself) are sick and tired of Miley Cyrus, but watch a few clips and you'd be surprised, it's not that bad at all.

AD Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 12:37 AM EST

I know what I'm going to see: Madagascar 2!

Stephanie T. Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 04:29 PM EST

Elizabeth,

Penny (voiced by Cree Summer)was the name of Inspector Gadgets niece. It was also the name of a claymation short featured in Pee Wee's Playhouse. It was about a girl named Penny. The short was so popular that it also had a anti drug campaign.

Desperaux is a very popular book for kids, so because it's going to be released in November, the Christmas shopping season, it should do well.

Megan Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 04:09 PM EST

I loved Kate DiCamillo's book (what? my mom was a middle school librarian), so I will be more willing to see Despereux. I can't stand John Travolta or Miley Cyrus, so no love lost on that movie. I won't get started on Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

kana Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 01:35 PM EST

i didn't watch either trailer and decided to make my choice purely off the cast lists at IMDB.

Desperaux, hands down.

lawyergirl77 Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 01:27 PM EST

Saw both of these previews prior to Wall-E this weekend. And while Desperaux looks like it might be a better movie overall, then fat hamster in Bolt had me in stitches... and will certainly cause me to fork over my cash when it comes out.

Rob Grizzly Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST

Yeah, you'll get to see these trailers at Wall*E! I think Bolt will be reminiscent of hundreds of live-action talking animal movies Disney and others have done before, even if it's CG. I'm reminded of Underdog immediately.

But Tale of Desperaux looks like something really special. The animation is much more lush, with a story of heart as opposed to gags, and might be the closest competition Pixar will have for the Oscar this year.

Elizabeth Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 06:33 AM EST

Bolt: The pigeons an "homage" of the "Goodfeathers" from "Animanicas"? And wasn't Penny Inspector Gadget's niece?
Desperaux: Big Ears - Dumbo?
Honestly, the voices of the characters isn't enough to get me in the seat, or dissuade me from going to see it (yep -thats for all the Miley haters.)

I have nieces 4 & 8, so I'll probably see both eventually, but I'd take either one of these over Alvin & The Chipmunks 2!

bud Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 06:32 AM EST

I'll see both cause I'm an animation fan but looking forward to Bolt more. The flat face of the Emma Watson character turns me off.

S Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 01:55 AM EST

Definitely Despereaux. It looks sweet. Plus I don't think I could stand listening to Miley Cyrus...

Vince Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 11:54 PM EST

"Despereaux" does look pretty good; I'm sure it will have a great story with great voice acting and a nice message to go with it all. But damn...it feels all so safe. It's almost like you have to take a risk these days with an animated movie. This reminds me of when i saw the trailers for "The Ant Bully" a couple years ago...looks decent, but too bland to get me to see it.

"Bolt" piques my interest way more; sharp animation, a cool concept and more marketable characters along with a hint of wit that is hopefully strong throughout the movie.

monica Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 07:58 PM EST

Bolt looks pretty action-packed, but I think Despereaux will be the coolest cause he's fearless.

Jason Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 09:22 AM EST

Saying Bolt is like the Truman Show is lazy and annoying in much the same way that saying Wall-E is like Short Circuit. Surface similarities have nothing to do with the actual movie. That said, Despereaux looks like the better of the two. It is nice to see animation with a different look than we are used to.

Josh Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 12:05 AM EST

Even if it's not exactly the same as Truman Show, it certainly reminds people of it. Suzanne, your drawn out response explaining the difference between Bolt and TS just shows how similar the two really are! I didn't even realize until you pointed it out, heh.

aps Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 06:41 PM EST

I honestly think The Tale of Despereaux looks like it's been done before. And while the animation does look nice, it doesn't look spectacular really. Also, I don't like his voice. I don't think it fits with the character's design really. I was pleasantly surprised by the trailer though, but will probably wait for DVD, if that. As for Bolt, I think it looks pretty good. I think it has a chance to be funny without succumbing to the everything is a pop-culture joke. I may be wrong, but it's setting, I think, will allow for anything pop-culture related to almost blend into the story (to a certain extent of course. We all know that a lot of these movies still tend to go overboard with the references).

suzanne Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 05:03 PM EST

BOLT LOOKS AWESOME!!

and it totally does NOT look like Truman Show. the Truman Show was about a guy who was just living his life and was being taped without his knowing. Bolt is a dog who actually THINKS he's a SUPERHERO and is released into the real world. it may sound sort of LIKE Truman Show, but it is in fact the exact opposite. Truman was not shown being released into the real world, and when he finally DID step out, he was doing so with full knowledge of what he was doing. so Bolt is unique in that regard.

Despereaux looks cute, the story sounds interesting, but Bolt piques my interest a whole lot more.

Jenny Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 02:13 PM EST

The Tale of Despereaux is one of my favorite books. I'm torn on the trailer though. Love the way the characters are drawn, but didn't love all of the stuff that they added to the story. It's a great story without adding all of that junk about Despereaux being in school and drawing cats!

lilyan Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 01:57 PM EST

i am sooo going to see bolt it looks awesome

Becca Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 07:00 AM EST

I love both of them! Can't choose one... I think Despereaux is prettier than Bolt, but I like Emma and Miley and they're not in the same movie... but I'm gonna have to say Despereaux... the mice are so cute ^.^

Melinda65 Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 01:39 AM EST

I will probably see both, even if not in the theater, but Despereaux looks like a sweet tale a la Ratatouille.

BrandonK Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

Bolt looks pretty cool, but Despereaux looks better.

hailey Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM EST

you know Bolt kinda reminds me of the movie called the truman show.

Ann Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 07:07 PM EST

Despereaux looks really cute! And it has a really nice original, yet fantastically traditional story. I miss animated movies about princess and heroes, it's all so pop-culture these days.

Jake Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 07:03 PM EST

Is it just me, or does Bolt just seem like a Truman Show rip-off?

Nathiest Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 06:28 PM EST

Wow can't wait to get'em on PPV! Bolt looks ok I would totally been more interested in the Super Dog then some sad loser dog, but still it looks good. Tale of Despereaux looks brilliant! CGI work we have never seen before and I say OSCAR worthy! Plus the story seem to be really good.

Dawn Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 05:31 PM EST

Loved the book Despereaux, but judging from the trailer, they completely butchered the story. I'll check it out on DVD probably, but won't be seeing either at the theater.

SMF Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 05:20 PM EST

Bolt seems like..it's been done already. and I honestly don't think I can take 5 minutes of hearing Hann-er..Miley Cyrus.

as for Despereaux- aw, now there's a movie I'd like to see.

But on dvd.

I won't see neither at the movies, but Despereaux I'd definetly need to buy off of Direct TV pay-per-view :D

Deb Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

Despereaux gets my vote. I'm not familiar with the book but it sounds like a good story and a good message. I like the voice talent, too.

bella Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 04:28 PM EST

I loved the book of Despereaux, so I'm definitely seeing that one.