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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Dreamworks Video
Salesrank: 88697
Released: November 7, 2000 |
| Our Price: $24.47 |
| Used Price: $7.26 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
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 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
The Prince of Egypt - DTS Edition Reviews:
More Fun than Expected 
2009-12-15 - My 4- and 6-year-olds are completely enthralled by this movie. They were at first (as I was) a little troubled when the First Born Boys die, especially the one who walks in his door, then a moment later, you see his arm come to rest in the doorway. A little eerie. But my children aren't particularly put out by that, and they keep asking to see it again and again. We've had it for a few months.
Beautifully animated but unbelievably depressing 
2009-12-11 - I first watched this film when it came out and disliked it. After seeing clips again in my art classes that reminded me of how beautiful the animation was, I decided to give it another shot but came to the exact same conclusion that I had years ago- the film on the whole... doesn't really add up to an enjoyable experience in the end.
To start off with the positive aspect- the animation work itself, the movement and the character designs and the staging and the general artistry are stunning- whoever as in charge absolutely knew what they were doing and I applaud them.
On the other end the vocal section of the music varies from alright to insipid ("Playing With the Big Boys Now" is one of the more terrible songs I've heard in an animated film), and while I knew to expect it knowing the story the continued demonization of one of my favorite ancient cultures in almost every single movie that addresses them is always disheartening. Obviously there is more to a film than these things, but I can not give an honest analysis on more nuanced issues such as background orchestral music or the nuances of vocal performances however because of my largest problem with the film- it's unbelievably depressing. "Grave of the Fireflies" depressing, without even the little pieces of cheeriness that film allowed itself.
"Prince of Egypt" is depressing to the point where it becomes difficult to focus on anything else, and both my brother and I were left speechless at how what is meant to be a great story of triumph for a culture could drag itself into such a colossal downer. I would certainly not expect them to turn something that many people take so seriously as a completely happy story, but there has to be -some- kind of balance one can strike between that and everything ending in utter depressing tragedy.
If you're a fan of the art of animation for its own sake or someone looking for a beautifully rendered cultural/religious touchstone and can handle a certain amount of violence in an animated film, I would recommend this for you. I know there are many people who enjoy it and I'm glad of that because a great deal of good work was put into the production. But for myself, my brother who re-watched it with me, and several others I have spoken to, the way the story falls off into everyone miserable or dead is just too much to be able to glean further enjoyment out of it.
Powerfully Done!
2009-11-11 -
I love this version of the Story of Moses and how he leaned upon God to set the Israelites free from the bondage they were in. I had the video but purchased the DVD. This is an excellent gift idea. All three of my children 9, 4, and 2 love this and watch it often. My husband and I enjoy this with them as well.
"Let my people go!"
2009-10-15 - I simply can't stand the CGI-animated films that have become a mainstream phenomenon for this new millennium. Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Shrek, Monsters Inc., and Ice Age were done extraordinarily well, but now CGI is everywhere and I think I'm going insane for even staring at one of their DVD covers! Much of them are just plain horrible (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Barnyard, Hoodwinked, Over the Hedge, Cars, Surf's Up, etc.), but most traditionally-animated films haven't fared well either (Home on the Range, Curious George, etc.). Are we going to have to sit through more of these in the future? I have a feeling that we most certainly will.
Fortunately, we still have tons of 2D-animated classics that we can enjoy watching (in both DVD and Blu-Ray). The Lion King, Peter Pan, Fantasia, The Secret of NIMH, Treasure Planet, and many others still look beautiful and modern. These were made with great care, and most of them had solid scripts and memorable characters. One classic that really stands out is The Prince of Egypt. Created by Dreamworks, it tells the well-known story of Moses and his quest from God to free the Hebrews. Almost everything that you have read from the Bible are here: the burning bush, the ten plagues, the parting of the sea, and so forth. What really makes The Prince of Egypt so distinctive is that it's one of the few animated movies that actually takes its audience seriously. It has a slightly darker and much more serious tone, with images that would no doubt frighten little kids. There are still two comedic sidekicks that will certainly entertain the kids, but as a whole, the entire movie is just as mature as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. There hasn't been anything like this since it's been released back in 1998.
What I love most about this movie is the animation. The 2D graphics are so beautiful and so detailed, that I literally couldn't help but sit there and stare at the awe-inspiring visuals. The water, the sand, the fires, the Ancient Egyptian architecture, everything is seen as top quality. There is one particular dream scene that's done in hieroglyphic form that looks pretty silly, but everything else is first-rate animation. The songs are very average (some of the weak links to this film). With the exception of the masterful "When You Believe," they aren't very unforgettable. But the orchestral music by Hans Zimmer is quite spectacular. It amazes me every time I hear those North African motifs, and those echoing solos that are done by a soprano.
I can't help but admire The Prince of Egypt. It's just as epic as The Lion King. It's a shame that we never get to see animated films like these today; all we get now are 3D-animated films that have flat characters, weak plots, and endless pop culture references. I can only hope that either Disney or Dreamworks (or whoever) can make a film that's provocative as this one.
The Prince of Egypt
2009-10-13 - Came in quick, my girls watched it and loved it, great quality for price. no complaints.
