Rating: Summary: breathtaking, deeply moving,an unforgettable experience..... Review: i saw this film christmas week, twice, and at the end of the film, the applause astounded me! the animation was so rich, so incredible and so darn real; the story, an adaptation of the old testament, combined with the deeply moving and haunting musical score, made for one of the finest movie experiences i have had in years! i just now preordered my dvd and cannot wait-it will be an awesome experience as i already own quite a few films released by dreamworks, and they do an incredible job (of course, spielberg). do not miss this great masterpiece either on vhs or dvd, if you are fortunate enough to own one. this will be the showpiece of the upcoming holidays. a masterful and unforgettable motion picture experience-kudos to all for their great work.
Rating: Summary: Another Flop From Notorious Dreamworks! Review: Honestly, the way I see it is that "The Haunting" was the only commendable production from Dreamworks Pictures. This feature animation, on the other hand, puts Steven Spielberg to a great deal of shame, I'm afraid; and it all the more proves how Jeffery Katzenberg can hardly survive without the expertise of the Walt Disney Company. First of all, it is terribly non-accurate in terms of restoring a "tale" of how Moses delivered his people. And secondly, eew...imagine how the people looked! Many praised this movie for its stunning background design; I personally feel horrible-looking CGI-animated people pale in accompaniment to how "stunning" the audience opines the animation to be - either in a positive or negative way. Why, I think even Don Bluth's "Anastasia" could do many times better!The soundtrack itself isn't all the more that fantastic, despite the several rather meaningful songs like "River Lullaby", "Through Heaven's Eyes" and "When You Believe", due to that familiar sensation from listening to scores of similar tones. I suppose this is the only portion of "The Prince of Egypt" which persuades me to only hang on to it with an unimpressive 3-star rating. Better luck next time, Dreamworks - looking forward to your much anticipated "The Iron Giant"!
Rating: Summary: Excellent Animation and Story Review: The Prince of Egypt is an excellently animated movie from Dreamworks, with great storytelling and characters and usually very good music. One doesn't have to be religious to appreciate this movie (I'm not at all) -- the emotions expressed by the characters are touching and the conflicts still relevant. As far as the animation in the movie goes, it is never less than excellent. Besides the special effects sections (the parting of the Red Sea being the most ambitious and breathtaking of all), the character animation is superb. Each character is different and distinct, with this quality most noticable when Moses is leading his people. Every person walking behind him, most of whom have only seconds of screen time, is unique. As an animation enthusiast, I appreciate this unwillingness to cut corners. Also standout in this production is the appropriate and effective combination of computer graphics and traditional hand-drawn animation. The dream/history sequence that plays out in heiroglyphics on the palace wall is an effective use of computer graphics in a 3-D setting that wouldn't work as well with traditional animation, but the movie isn't overburdened by CG shortcuts that just look fake. The storytelling is also very well done. I have read reviews that say it changed the Bible story too much, but the movie flows well and has a good sense of pacing. Although I've never read the Bible story, the key points I've heard of are included, and it seems the spirit of the story is intact. The music, for the most part, is very good as well. "River Lullabye" and "Through Heaven's Eyes" are beautiful in that they have a more middle-eastern feel to them, with a broader range of instruments than the hit "When you believe", which in the ending credits is sung by divas Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. One complaint: The Steve Martin/Martin Short scene is bad, bad, bad. The characters seem borrowed from too many Disney movies: as snide, snooty henchmen with no character development, they are also way too modernized to fit the theme of the story. And their "Playing With the Big Boys" song is terrible -- I just want to fast-forward through it. That scene notwithstanding, I think the movie is worth watching, for both children and adults.
Rating: Summary: A Movie For Everyone! Review: This movie is truly "a movie for everyone", as it is a memorable movie, with even more memorable characters! And I'm taking this review a step further...
I am not Christian, Catholic, Muslim, or a follower of Judaism. I do not believe that Jesus was the son of GOD, nor do I believe that the world was created in 7 days. I am a wiccan, a pantheist, a pagan. But regardless of my religion/beliefs, I still found this movie to absolutely extraoridnary!!!
It did not bother me that is movie is about MOSES. Nor did it upset me when in the movie they spoke about a single god, the true god, the god of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
My point is that this movie has something for everyone, no matter a person's gender, religion, sexuality, or ethnic background. Everyone will love this movie!!!
Rating: Summary: well worth a viewing, and a discussion Review: I really enjoyed this movie. It was rather dramatic for a children's film, but a good way to teach children the story of Moses and the Exodus. For the most part, I found it pretty accurate. Some artistic license was of course taken, but the themes and ideas and major events seemed to be all there. I watched this movie as part of a Bible study, and afterwards we had a discussion about it; if you are concerned about any inaccuracies or ideas presented, then I recommend doing the same with your kids.
The animation was absolutely beautiful. I particularly like Moses' dream, which is styled after Egyption drawings. The colors and scenery were also brilliant throughout the entire film. And the music was wonderful-- I believe Hans Zimmer was the composer...so if you enjoyed the music of Gladiator, you will like this score as well. Only one song irked me: "Playing with the Big Boys," which seemed cheesier than the rest of the movie and slightly out of place.
I admit, this movie is not for everyone. It is not a typical happy animated film, and thus is likely not a good choice for young children. But it is good for older children, particularly those who know the story of Moses. It is deeper than other animated movies, and so many adults will enjoy it as well.
Overall, I found the film very well-done and full of rich details. The only issues I can imagine people having with it are the few places where it strays from the story in the Bible, but as I said before, this opens the door to some good discussions, and I highly recommend giving it a try.
Rating: Summary: ADOPTIVE PARENTS BEWARE!! Review: As a soon-to-be adoptive parent, I was disappointed in this movie. In general, I did think the story was wonderful!! However, I feel that its handling of "adoption" was very poor & a young adopted child could read bad things into the situation & what is indirectly said about adoption. When Moses realizes he was adopted, he sees his current reality as fake & wants to go back to his true identity of being Hebrew. Granted... there's a lot more going on.... obviously Pharoah is the bad guy & Moses was supposed to go lead the Hebrews... But an adopted child might related to Moses as being adopted & feeling like he was living in a fake reality.... Moses even implies that his brother isn't *really* his brother, although he still considers him to be his brother in spirit... and then Moses leaves and refers to Pharoah as the man he used to call father (i.e., before he knew better). This part of the story is all contrived, as it is not in Scripture -- and it is very unfortunate that this is in there. A young adopted child may not see past it.
Rating: Summary: Brilliant Film!!! Review: This animated version of the story of Moses is phenomenal, and it truly captures the life of one of the most revered persons in the Bible, next to Jesus Christ.
Some of the scenes are truly remarkable, from the very start of the film, when Pharaoh's son and Moses race their chariots, to the last plague on Pharaoh, to the crossing of the Red Sea. Even if you aren't a believer, this is a vivid tale, underscored by a great musical score and brilliant animation.
The music really communicates the period of the Bible, with the overtones of Jewish styles, and probably one of the lighter areas of the film is when Moses returns to Pharaoh's court and encounters the court magicians, who inevitably prove powerless against the rod of Aaron and Moses.
A great and brilliant film, and highly recommended for any family library!!!
Rating: Summary: Full of Hope and Courage Review: 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!
Rating: Summary: Epic animation like no other. Review: The Prince of Egypt is easily one of my all-time favorite animated features (the other being The Lion King). It is visually stunning, bringing ancient Egypt to life in a way that no other film even comes close. However, the main strength of the film is to take an epic tale that defined a nation and make it relevant to viewers from all cultures everywhere. In less capable hands, Moses might have come across as lifeless as a certain chief of the NRA and about as sympathetic as any number of fire and brimstone prophets found within the pages of the Bible. But The Prince of Egypt turns him into a flesh and blood person, one who feels agony at having to unleash disease and destruction upon the Egyptians and their children in order to fulfil his duty to his people and his God. It is the age old dilemma of whether to take action that is necessary yet appears to be morally ambiguous. It is a theme that is as relevant to Hindus (re: Arjuna agonising before the Battle of Kurukshetra over having to fight and possibly kill his kinsmen in order to fulfil his duty as a warrior and to restore honour to his family in the Mahabharata) as it is to Christians, Hebrews and Muslims. The amazing score by Hans Zimmer only adds to the already impressive qualities of this film. The haunting voice of the late Ofra Haza in "Deliver Us" made me cry - one can almost feel the pain of the mother forced to abandon her baby to the elements. "The Burning Bush" and "The Red Sea" augmented the film's visuals well, making one feel as if one is really in the presence of the Divine. A superb effort, well worth adding to your DVD library.
Rating: Summary: GREAT Review: I wondered why this movie didn't get as much hype as most other Disney productions, then I realized- it's not Disney!!
The graphics were not nearly as spectacular as they're said to be and the story felt almost "choppy". The characters lacked emotion in all the wrong places. I would think that if I saw my first born killed, I'd be a bit more upset than Rameses was. Or if water became blood right before my eyes, my jaw would drop at least a little.
But my biggest problem with the movie was the soundtrack. Each song was very poorly written. No catchy choruses, no really lively numbers, nothing. One of the best parts of seeing a good animated film is that colors, gravity and the laws of physics are not an obstacle. The artists can create whatever song and put it to whatever setting. The imagination of the songwriters and illustrators definitely fell short.
One song in particular, "You're playing with the big boys now" was the most dissapointing. The lyrics merely repeated the name of the title over and over again and I found that the animation for the number itself was scary and just disturbing. I wouldn't let my children see if for fear of them having nightmares.
I think that the animated movies should be left to Disney, because they alone seem to know how to do them right.
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