Rating: 
Summary: FORGOTTEN FANTASY
Review: While I'm waiting for the crowds of people to see "The Two Towers" to die down, I happened to come across this movie at the video rental store. A childhood favorite. If they had a list of the top five fantasy films, "The Thief of Bagdad" would HAVE to be up there. I would feel pained if it weren't. The movie is about Prince Ahmed and his quest for the Princess that he loves. But in his way is the evil Jaffar, a man of power and also a sorcerer. But Prince Ahmed has a friend, Abu, that helps him get out of prison and promises to help him find his Princess. However, Jaffar casts two spells on the pair. One blinds Prince Ahmed. The other turns Abu into a dog. That's all I'll say concerning the plot. The plot starts in the present and goes back to flashback scenes, finally catching up to the present and then moving on. This is one of those movies that proves you don't need lots of special effects to make it good. The magic carpet is believable (notice how it casts a shadow on everything as it flies around). The genie looks a little fake at times, but this was made in 1940, too. Some of the backgrounds are obviously painted or little more than models. Despite all this, the actors (and the dog, don't forget the dog) give 100% performances, creating characters that are immediately likable. The storyline, too, is so fresh and original that it's nearly impossible to not enjoy watching, wondering what will happen next. In an age where special effects often take center stage it's nice to see a movie whose soul is in its charm.
Rating: 
Summary: Abu: «No court position for me! I want to have some fun!
Review: Wonderful story. Wonderful spectacle. However, the sound is horrible. Couldn't they have restored it better?
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