Prince of Egypt [1998]

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Dreamworks Starring: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum Directed By: Brenda Chapman, Simon Wells, Steve Hickner Average Customer Rating:


Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1 Audience Rating: Universal, suitable for all Binding: DVD EAN: 5051189122934 Format: PAL Label: Dreamworks Manufacturer: Dreamworks Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Dreamworks Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2006-07-03 Running Time: 99 Studio: Dreamworks Theatrical Release Date: 1998-12-18
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Editorial Reviews: Nearly every biblical film is ambitious, creating pictures to go with some of the most famous and sacred stories in the Western world. DreamWorks' first animated film, The Prince of Egypt was the vision of executive producer Jeffrey Katzenberg after his ugly split from Disney, where he had been acknowledged as a key architect in that studio's rebirth (The Little Mermaid, etc.). His first film for the company he helped create was a huge, challenging project without a single toy or merchandising tie-in, the backbone du jour of family entertainment in the 1990s. Three directors and 16 writers succeed in carrying out much of Katzenberg's vision. The linear story of Moses is crisply told, and the look of the film is stunning; indeed, no animated film has looked so ready to be placed in the Louvre since Fantasia. Here is an Egypt alive with energetic bustle and pristine buildings. Born a slave and set adrift in the river, Moses (voiced by Val Kilmer) is raised as the son of Pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) and is a fitting rival for his stepbrother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes). When he learns of his roots--in a knockout sequence in which hieroglyphics come alive--he flees to the desert, where he finds his roots and heeds God's calling to free the slaves from Egypt. Katzenberg and his artists are careful to tread lightly on religious boundaries. The film stops at the parting of the Red Sea, only showing the Ten Commandments--without commentary--as the film's coda. Music is a big part (there were three CDs released) and Hans Zimmer's score and Stephen Schwartz's songs work well--in fact the pop-ready, Oscar-winning "When You Believe" is one of the weakest songs. Kids ages 5 and up should be able to handle the referenced violence; the film doesn't shy away from what Egyptians did to their slaves. Perhaps Katzenberg could have aimed lower and made a more successful animated film, but then again, what's a heaven for? --Doug Thomas
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Surprisingly Brilliant Comment: I'm not religious in any sense of the word, so my review will be based purely on the film placed in front of me, and not on any historical innacuracies and deviances from the actual story, or any religious implications in the film. I was blown away by this film to be honest. The story, the voice acting, the animation, it was all faultless, and though the songs took a bit of getting used to (they didn't seem to have that sweet, flowing quality I was used to seeing in most cartoon musicals) the soundtrack fits the film incredibly well, with the obvious standout song of 'there can be miracles' made famous by Mariah carey and whitney Houston. One fault I did have however was the script, which at times felt slightly awkward, but the voice actors did the best with what they had, and that small fault is completely swept away by all the great aspects this film has to offer. One of my favourite parts personally was the portrayal of the relationship between Moses and the pharoah, the anguish and stubborness of both coming across well, and most importantly, the viewer can understand where both characters come from, sad that such a close friendship could be reduced to what it was. I thought the film was magical, and really look forward to watching it again. A brilliant piece of work, fully deserves the 5 star rating. Customer Rating: Summary: Full of Hope and Courage Comment: This review is dedicated to the children of Israel from way back in the mists of time to the present day and the future. To little Miriam-seen here in the movie- crouching by the River Nile waiting to see what would happen to the basket where her baby brother Moses was sailing down the River Nile in. Here the pretty little tyke sings the song of hope blessing her baby brother - sung by the talented young actress Eden Riegel To the children of Israel today - all of them! The dedication was inspired by the lovely voices of the blessed Israeli children who sung an exquisite melody in Hebrew during the part of the film where the Israelites where departing from Egypt-it were part of the song: "When You Believe" This was perhaps the most touching and beautiful part of "Prince of Egypt". The hardship of the Israelites whose life was embittered by their Egyptian oppressors is perfectly displayed here, and Moses life as a swashbuckling Egyptian Prince, and a close friend of the young Ramses is an interesting one. The animation was amazing, both the people and the Egyptian landscape. Particularly outstanding and memorable scenes: When the Pharaoh Seti's Egyptian storm troopers charge into the Israelite slave quarters to cease the first-born sons of every Jewish woman, and Yocheved (Ofra Haza) flees, with the baby Moses in her arms, accompanied by her small children Miriam and Aaron. Beautiful songs by the magnificent Ofra Haza , who was taken from us so young , and Eden Riegel Where Miriam (read with heartfelt sincerity by Sandra Bullock) tells Moses (Val Kilmer) that he is their brother, while a nervous Aaron (Jeff Goldblum) assures Moses that Miriam is not well and should be excused her impudence. When Moses go's into the Temple where the whole sage unfolds through his eyes about what the Egyptians did to the Hebrew babies and what happened to the infant Moses himself, he confronts Pharaoh Seti ((Patrick Stewart) about the diabolical mass murder of the Israeli babies Seti replies: " Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the common good'. The same evil refrain used by tyrants through the ages from Pharaoh Seti to Hadrian, Torquemada, Robespierre, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Castro, the mass murderer Arafat, Mugabe and every other bloodthirsty tyrannical monster ever. Moses' sojourn with the family of Jethro in Midian, where he marries Tzipporah. The dancing and singing there was incredible. (...). Where G-D appears in the blue translucent light of the burning bush and instructs Moses to lead the Israelites to freedom. : `I have indeed seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and I have heard its outcry because of its taskmasters, for I have known its sufferings. I shall descend to rescue it from the hand of Egypt and bring it from that land to a good land flowing with milk and honey.' Moses confrontation with Pharaoh Rameses and the long struggle to free the People of Israel from Egyptian bondage, his struggle with Pharaoh's magicians (who provide some humor) , and finally the angel of death sparing the Hebrew children and slaying each Egyptian first born son. Leading to the most beautiful scene, the triumphant march of the Hebrew people to freedom, full of love and hope! Customer Rating: Summary: Wonderful Comment: This is a wonderful adaptation of the exodus story from the bible. The music is beautiful, the animation is superb and Ralph Fienes as the Pharroh is excellent. I am disappointed to see that another reviewer has branded it as religious extremism. I fail to see how telling one of the most famous stories of all time counts as extremism. What is moving about this version, is that we see Ramesees as a young man, full of loyalty and love for his "brother" Moses. it's later on that we see him form into an arrogent man, convinced, as some Egyptions were, that he was a God. Ultimately, Egypt pays the price for his cruelty and arrogance. My children love this film and want to watch it all the time. Far from religious extremism, it has taught them the importance of treating people well and how arrogance often causes people to be cruel. Customer Rating: Summary: A GOOD FILM Comment: This is very possibly the finest animation I've seen. Before commenting on the film as a whole, I want to make that clear, because in the inevitable rush to pick this film apart (the plot, the voices, the religious significance, the literary accuracy, the moral issues, the music, the comparisons with Disney and de Mille, etc...) one might easily become distracted from the aesthetic and technical triumphs of The Prince of Egypt, and that would be unfortunate. As someone who has an interest and appreciation of animation, I can say that this is the first film I've seen that successfully integrates computer-generated animation and traditional animation (and I've seen many attempts). More importantly, as someone who has eyes, I can say that the result is a visual experience of intense style and beauty. In fact, the initial depiction of Egypt is so breathtaking, that it seriously hinders the film's later efforts to vilify it. Comparisons with Disney are inevitable, especially because Prince of Egypt employs tired Disney formula in an attempt, I assume, to remain economically viable. What a shame, since Disney hasn't made a decent film since Aladdin. I am referring, of course, to the unnecessary musical numbers and the two high priests, the film's comic relief, who are drawn grossly out of proportion to the other characters. Even worse than their unoriginality, however, is the open mockery of ancient Egyption religion and culture, which these two characters embody. I found their musical number especially appalling. On the other hand, it's a story in which the protagonists succeed only through a greater capacity for cruelty and destruction and the slaughter of innocent children, so it's kind of hard to nail down any concrete moral standard here. In general, I thought the story was well told, with solid direction and a good script. The only complaint I have about the voice acting is that Jeff Goldblum's unmistakable mannerisms seriously distract from his character. I suspect that I wasn't really bothered by the others only because I hadn't seen a cast list before seeing the film. I wish they would stop relying on celebrity voices for animated features. No character can be effective if the viewer can't separate the voice from the actor supplying it. The bottom line is, despite any objections, complaints, or concerns I might have about this film, despite the moral, religious, or idealogical issues it brings up, and despite the $8 and two hours you'll spend, this film is worth seeing. It's worth seeing because of the animation. I hope it sets a new standard for feature-length animated films. At the very least, I think it will show the movie-going public what the medium is capable of. Customer Rating: Summary: Dreamworks first, animation and one of Ofra Haza's last projects Comment: The Prince of Egypt is about a story that is central to three of the world's religions, but if you are not religious you can set all that aside and enjoy the story for itself and the magnificent animation that is used to tell it. This is about Moses the man and the Royal 'brother' that he grew up with. I have bought this DVD as part of my collection of the work of the late great Israeli singer Ofra Haza and it is one of my gripes with the producers of this film that she has been under-credited. (Add to that all of the 'singing doubles' who stood in for the actors in the musical parts). When you listen to the music carefully you will discover that Ofra's presence runs throughout this film like a golden thread; from her part as Yocheved, Moses mother, in the opening number "Deliver Us" through the incidental music for the dream hieroglyphs, 'Goodbye Brother', 'Cry', the burning bush, etc. - to the very last voice of the film crying out "Deliver us !". This is just a hint of what a wonderful singer Ofra was. As talented as all of the big acting names that are splashed all over this film, they were eclipsed in song by Ofra Haza. My second big complaint is, why bring in Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston to massacre the uplifting song "When You Believe" ? The version in the film by Sally Dworsky and Michelle Pfeiffer is perfect - couldn't be better. My third little moan is that, whilst great pains were taken to make the human characters not too 'cartoony', the animals all looked a bit like bad caricatures. Gripes out of the way ! This film is worth buying. Do not expect it to be a cutesy kiddy-cartoon. It is a story told through animation. I would like to watch it all of the way through with the sound off just to enjoy the artwork - the light flashing on Moses golden breastplate, or the basket floating on the water which you forget is animation it looks so real!!! [Remember the next animation Dreamworks did was Shrek.] Of course, I cannot turn the sound off because I am compelled to listen to those two songs 'Deliver Us' and 'When You Believe'. Footnote: Ofra Haza died in 2000, in a tragically ironic way, you could say 'killed by marriage'. She had much more to give. My challenge to film-makers (Spielberg ?) is how about a bio-doc film of Ofra's life ? You cannot reproduce that singing voice but you could tell the story and give the world a good look and listen to what it missed. More Reviews