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Joseph:King of Dreams

Joseph:King of Dreams

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $13.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: not good...but not bad
Review: I think this movie is exactly what it set out to be...a direct to DVD release with mediocre animation to capitalize on the "Bible story" kick of current times. And to the people that have reviewed this movie...please get your facts straight before typing things in here...it only makes you seem quick to judge, before knowing what you are talking about. The number one complaint...Ben Affleck was only the "speaking" voice of Joseph...not the "singing" voice. David Campbell was the "singing" voice of Joseph.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A delight
Review: I usually don't buy direct-to-video sequels -- usually, they are inferior to the original product and only tarnish my enjoyment. However, "King of Dreams" is not a sequel, rather than a companion piece.

Delving once again into ancient history, this story tells of a "miracle child," the favorite son of old Jacob and his wife Rachel (the Biblical polygamy is delicately ignored, though hinted at in that Joseph is a half-brother). While Joseph's ten brothers toil in the fields, he is taught to read and write and is given a magnificently woven coat. When he has dreams that "mean something," his brothers' resentment starts to grow. He ends up enslaved in Egypt, where despite his talents and intelligence he falls further and further. But newfound humility and a special gift from God will bring him back up.

This movie has a beautiful piece of symbolism - the little fruit tree that Joseph carelessly steps on as he cries out to God, "Why?" Everyone in their lives is faced with a crisis in which it is asked why God is doing this to them. The single leaf that remains living on the shattered tree shows how his faith still exists, and that faith grows as he saves the tree and nurtures it to health. God is spoken of less, as Joseph is not convincing anyone of anything, but his presence is highly felt in the writing.

From a secular point of view, this is also a good cautionary tale. At the beginning, Joseph bounds past his brothers, singing, "I am special, I am smart! I am a miracle child!" and being coddled by his parents. Allowing himself to be arrogant is part of his downfall. Later on, he uses his gift and his intelligence to benefit everyone, and thus is rewarded.

The secondary characters are, like Ramses of PoE, multi-dimensional even if you are supposed to dislike them. As Joseph enjoys his special status, one can sympathize with his jealous brothers -- but the same spoiled boy will take your sympathy when his brothers taunt him and cruelly sell him. Potiphar is well-drawn -- a man who betrays his own honor and clearly suffers inwardly because of it, and his niece is an instantly sympathetic character is her urgings to forgive.

Though this film is acceptable for small kids, there are a few moments that will disturb them, such as when Potiphar's wife makes a (it's not obvious to the very young) pass at Joseph, and when he is dragged off while his brothers accept silver as payment for him.

The songs aren't quite as good as PoE, but the animation in its lesser glory is excellent. When Joseph is led into Egypt, one can definitely sympathize with his slack-jawed awe. Lesser details, such as Potiphar's servant's thoughts on Joseph's hygiene, are also present and very enjoyable. The dream sequences strike a good balance of otherworldliness and realism.

Okay, so this isn't quite up to the standards of "Prince of Egypt." There's a lesser budget, but it's a more personal, family story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Exceptional!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I was not expecting this movie to be as good as Prince of Egypt, but like the first review that I read, I think it is as good if not better than Prince of Egypt. The picture is vibrant and wonderful, the story is as close to the true story as possible, and the songs are absolutely WONDERFUL. My children loves this movie. It is a great story about forgiveness, love, and faith. I was suprised to find that Ben Affleck was the voice for Joseph. Although he is not my favorite actor he does a WONDERFUL job as the voice of Joseph. Much better than Matt Damon as the voice in Dreamworks movie "Spirit". Buy this movie, you will not be disappointed and your family will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish they had done more advertising for this movie and it had received more attention. It deserves it. I hope that Dreamworks does more films like this of the stories in the Bible!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Nice movie but defective DVD
Review: I was so disappointed. The songs are sooooooooooo boring, and the graphic are not so good... It's nothing comparing The Prince of Egypt. I won't buy it... that's for sure.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great job.
Review: I wondered if a family oriented movie, Joseph - King of Dreams that also had a pro religious theme could come out of Dreamworks. Like wouldn't you be suspicious if the present day Disney management did a pro-religious movie?

But, J-KOD the cartoon movie is not bad. Certainly i think they made a worthy movie. Only thing is that my kids didn't like it as much as I did. Given the choice, they preferred Joseph and TTDC starring Donnie based on the long running play. And they prefer this version, not because Dreamworks dropped the ball, but because the music is just awesome by comparison.

Check out the cartoon version by dreamwokrs as a rental. then checkout the movie based on the play.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stands on it's own merits
Review: Like most viewers, I was sceptical of another video-only release sequel. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed this movie even more than The Prince of Egypt. The songs & music are of outstanding quality with the single Give A Little More Than You Take being a truly moving & inspiring song. I wish it had been released to the pop charts the way Disney did Can You Feel The Love Tonight & other of their movie-gone-pop-chart songs. At the very least Dreamworks could have marketed a movie songtrack for Joseph, King of Dreams the way they did for Prince of Egypt. This is truly a movie that stands on it's own merits!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I don't know why, though
Review: Often I can say something about a movie that I watch more than 5 times. I tend to either want to watch a movie a lot of times or not at all, and this is an example of the former. But I'm not really sure why. And I don't usually watch animated flicks unless I'm with the children. But I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I've seen this enough times to know it by heart. I somehow trust the fact that I haven't gotten tired of it -- it must mean they did something right. It may also be purely personal to me. I remember my dreams......

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This Film Builds Character
Review: This is great movie for children to watch. This is one of the most beloved Bible stories. It teaches humility, forgiveness, the difference between rational and irrational thought, perseverance, nobility, determination and compassion. It could make adults cry and feel indignation, but if seen with a child's perspective one could grasps the deeper meaning of love.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Love and Forgiveness!!!
Review: This is not "The Prince of Egypt," so you need to separate that film from this one. It's a totally different story, and follows Joseph, the son of Jacob, as he's given preferential treatment by his father, who is so proud that he is the first born to his wife, Rachel. Then there are the dreams which he receives, with his brothers bowing in obeisance to him, and then the action sets in, and he's sold into slavery into Egypt.

This is a fine re-telling of this Biblical story, and as has been noted previously, the animation and the songs are rich and fulfilling. Joseph rises to power in Egypt, after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and while in prison, he continues to remain faithful to God.

The resolution of this, naturally, is when the famine hits Canaan, Jacob sends all his sons to Egypt, except is youngest son, and by this time Joseph has risen to be the #2 man in Egypt. His appearance has changed, but his memories are vivid, and when he finally "shows" himself to his brothers, it brings tears to the eyes.

A magnificent film, and highly recommended!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Beautiful movie for all the family!
Review: This is one great animated movie for all the family to enjoy! The drawings are beautiful, colors fabulous. A very good job they did to take one of a great character from the bible and to make it into a beautiful movie!


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