The Tale of Despereaux

Anna and I went on an adventure today to see The Tale of Despereaux, a monumental event for me as her dad usually wins out on the movie theater excursions. So, opening day of the movie, with four other people in the theater, we chose our seats (or rather Anna chose...the third row from the screen). I chuckled inside after each of the (what seemed like a) million previews as she looked at me with earnest eyes and asked "Is the movie coming on now?" After two times, I anticipated her inquiry and, peeking at her fidgeting self in my peripheral vision, smiled and said "not yet, Sweetie."
Tired myself of all the previews, I let my attention stray to my surroundings, my perception of which might have been altered by the myriad dog movies being shown. The air, the seats, smelled like wet dog. Should we have driven the 15 minutes to the newer, nicer theater? (A thought that had already crossed my mind as we paid WAY too much to get in to a matinee after waiting ten minutes for the manager to come figure out the ticket machine because the girl working couldn't do it, bypassing the concessions even though we were parched because the drinks were $4.00 each, entering the foot and dirty laundry smelling bathroom and wondering what made the toddler sized white stain on the red carpet, and sitting down in the seats to find the arm rests didn't raise.)
Anna's attention must have followed mine - she asked why they had bird poop on the screen (ah, just a tear in the screen but a very obvious one). How do you answer that one?
She was relieved when the movie finally start but I have to admit it took a minute for me to get past the humming speakers.
But it didn't take long: the movie was great. A perfect choice, though I had my doubts prior to coming that it would be too frightening for my princess. Being hyper-emotional, and very fond of princesses, she expressed concern over the princess being tied up in preparation to be eaten in Ratworld. Nothing an explanation and hypothesis at the good outcome didn't put to rest.
How refreshing to see a modern kids movie that doesn't idolize bad attitudes and isn't laden with innuendos. What a great hour and a half where honor and truth and forgiveness is the focus.
I smiled at Despereaux who reminded me so much of Anna: a little nontraditional and not afraid of anything. When others had a problem with him and no one supported him, he found a way to make the best of the situation. A great lesson for her (and me) not to give up.
My favorite part was when this beaming child hugged me tightly at the end and exclaimed how great it was that we came to this perfect movie!
And we had forgotten all about the choice of theater.