"The Tale of Despereaux" is an old-fashioned animated fable that teaches kids about the importance of courage, loyalty and soup. This film is part of the annual "Winter Brrreak at The Smith" film series.

Despereaux, voiced by Matthew Broderick, is a little mouse (he's half the size of other mice) who grows up with Dumbo-size ears. He longs for feats of derring-do, even as his elders advise him of the superior strategic option of derring-don't.

Despereaux's tale stands out among recent animated features for its lack of jokiness, its stately air, its timelessness, its bruised souls and damaged hopes. A lot of the movie takes place in a dungeon. The sadness that envelops the kingdom isn't a method for the writers to open up a discussion of current events, but the result of a miserable series of accidents and misunderstandings among otherwise well-meaning folk.

Although the movie, based on Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning children's book and adapted by "Big" writer Gary Ross, is simple enough for little kids, adults will get caught up in the movie's sweet sincerity. Even Disney seldom makes movies like this one anymore, without pop-culture gags or hit songs. It is thoughtful and elegant instead of frantic and dazzling. It works like a beloved fairy tale. Despereaux's world is enchanting as well as enchanted. What's not to like about a fantasyland where the biggest holiday of the year is soup day?

"The Tale of Despereaux" gathers a host of vocal talent (Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci, Sigourney Weaver, William H. Macy, Richard Jenkins, Frank Langella) for a story of heroism, hope, forgiveness and loyalty, requiring that its young audience pay attention and is all the more rewarding for it. It is rated G and has a running time of 94 minutes.