The Prince of Egypt Review
by Dustin Putman (FilmFan16 AT aol DOT com)December 21st, 1998
The Prince of Egypt * * * 1/2 (out of * * * * )
Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, Simon Wells.
Voices: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock,
Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Helen
Mirren, Ofra Haza.
1998 - 98 minutes.
Rated PG (for mature themes and violence; appropriate for children 7 and
up).
Reviewed December 19, 1998.
By Dustin Putman
< <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/FilmFan16/index.html">Dustin Putman's Film Reviews</A> >
1998 was such a dismal year for animated features (I gave negative
reviews to "Antz," "The Rugrats Movie," and "A Bug's Life") that I was
beginning to think I had somehow outgrown them, even though I knew that
wasn't true since I still loved the majority of animated pictures in the
past. So, it's funny how the last film in that genre for the year turned
out to be Dreamworks' first foray into basic animation, "The Prince of
Egypt," which is an awe-inspiring, amazing achievement that not only is
refreshingly more serious and realistic than the usual dull recent
Disney movies, but enraptured me in its spell from the first powerful
sequence to the last.
Based on the biblical story of Moses, Dreamworks, no doubt, had a
difficult film on their hands to make, particularly since it was to be
an animated film and the subject matter is uplifting, yet very dark.
Thankfully, Dreamworks seems to be far more mature than Disney, for if
they had made it, they would have added a bunch of cute animals that
would substitute for comic relief. In its visually beautiful opening
scene, baby Moses is set in a basket and pushed out to sea by his
mother, in order to save him from murderous Egyptian soldiers who have
taken over their village. Soon, Moses washes up from the sea and is
given a home at the palace of the Pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart), where
he grows up thinking that the Pharaoh is his real father and Pharaoh's
son, Rameses (Ralph Fiennes), is his brother. When Moses (voiced well by
Val Kilmer) accidentally runs into two slaves, who happen to be his
brother, Aaron (Jeff Goldblum), and sister, Miriam, (Sandra Bullock),
they try to convince him of his true family. He, at first, doesn't
believe them, and then when the truth is reinforced by Pharaoh, Moses
becomes outraged that he has been lied to all his life, and realizes
that the slaves working at the palace are being severely mistreated.
Seekng solace across the desert in a Midianite village, Moses falls in
love with the shepardess, Tzipporah (Michelle Pfeiffer), and when he
finally comes into contact with the burning bush, which gives him the
power to set the slaves free in Egypt, he returns to his home of royalty
and sets forth a series of dangerous plagues, which include a
destructive swarm of locusts and turning the sea into blood.
As you have probably guessed, "The Prince of Egypt," is most likely too
intense and "adult" for younger children, but it is a magnificent marvel
for older children and grown-ups, and it also serves as being
educational without becoming relentlessly preachy and religious. Not
only that, but the film was so stunning to look at and so sound in its
story department that it was actually highly entertaining and exciting,
as well.
With "The Prince of Egypt," animation has certainly gone to a new
ultimate level. In recent years, the Disney films had grown to feel
unspectacular because the animation simply didn't seem to be showing me
things I hadn't already seen. "The Prince of Egypt" contains, by far,
the best animation I have ever seen, with a resplendent or astonishing
image coming ever minute. The sequences that stand out most in my mind
include when hieroglyphics come to life; the plague arrives that kills
all of the first-born children; the amazing swarm of locusts; the
edge-of-your-seat chariot race; the solemn march of the slaves after
they have been freed; and, ultimately, the parting of the red sea.
For once, the musical numbers in "The Prince of Egypt" are actually
memorable and often quite beautiful, particularly the opening musical
number, and "When You Believe," which is a lovely and touching ballad.
Although the music is not necessary, the songs were, overall, satisfying
enough that I have no objections to the decision of making the film a
musical.
"The Prince of Egypt," finally broke the recent string of disappointing
animated features, so much so that this is actually one of the very best
films of the year. It showed me images that I had never seen before in
the world of animation, and I was constantly in a state of shock and
wonder over the astounding technological advancements. Gratefully, the
film proves that an animated film can be made that deals with a serious
subject without condescending to the so-called "cute and cuddly" laws of
children's fare. "The Prince of Egypt" is a towering achievement that
puts to shame the majority of recent Disney films, and is an ideal film
to see during the holiday season.
More on 'The Prince of Egypt'...
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
