"The Prince of Egypt" is a treat of a film, using animation to tell the story of Moses from the time of his birth to his descent from Mount Sinai with the ten commandments handed down to him by God. It is a triumph not just on a visual level but also in its storytelling.
Three decades ago we had "The Ten Commandments", still hailed today as one of the great films of the century. As a critical film it had its flaws, but it also had the commanding presence of Charlton Heston. Heston has since gone on to a less commanding presence as NRA spokesman, but the memory of his performance lives on. But what that film lacked was convincing special effects for a contemporary audience. People may have been wowed by the effects of the Red Sea parting back in the 60's but today the appearance of Heston standing in the animated water moving aside before him is less profound.
"The Prince of Egypt" takes the same story, and applies the magic of animation to transform it into its full glory. We see the full wrath of God brought down on Egypt in the form of the 10 plagues with a vengeance. The fluidity of water like nothing seen before in the form of the Nile. The majesty of Egyptian architecture, splayed out in a glorious profile as a backdrop to the drama. Even the expressions on the character's faces are wondrous to behold. This is a story that begs to be told in animated form. It is the first animated film from Dreamworks, and the effort they have gone to shows.
It has big names for voices as well. Ralph Fiennes voices the stubborn Rameses, Patrick Stewart is commanding as his father, Seti, Helen Mirren as the Queen, Steve Martin and Martin Short as villianous court magicians, even Danny Glover as a Midan high priest. Val Kilmer has the interesting double role as both Moses and God. I hope it doesn't go to his head.
Most people know the story of Moses, so I won't summarize it here. What sets this version apart from other interpretations of the story is the focus it has on the relationship between Moses and Rameses. I admired the way it emphasizes the conflict between the two, who are first seen as young men creating havoc in the streets with their chariot racing, inseparable. Later on, after Moses flees when he discovers his true origin, and returns to request the release of his people, the Hebrews, Rameses is crushed when he learns of his transformation, and hardens his heart, tragically, against the demands of Moses' strange God. This mission of Moses wasn't just about the commandments of God but his defiance of his assumed parentage, as a prince and brother to Rameses.
So many movies about Biblical events are underwhelming because they have breadth of vision but lack the capacity for conveying convincingly the miraculous sights involved. "Prince of Egypt" is able to use its vision and animation to communicate these things. It is a rare achievement.
Three decades ago we had "The Ten Commandments", still hailed today as one of the great films of the century. As a critical film it had its flaws, but it also had the commanding presence of Charlton Heston. Heston has since gone on to a less commanding presence as NRA spokesman, but the memory of his performance lives on. But what that film lacked was convincing special effects for a contemporary audience. People may have been wowed by the effects of the Red Sea parting back in the 60's but today the appearance of Heston standing in the animated water moving aside before him is less profound.
"The Prince of Egypt" takes the same story, and applies the magic of animation to transform it into its full glory. We see the full wrath of God brought down on Egypt in the form of the 10 plagues with a vengeance. The fluidity of water like nothing seen before in the form of the Nile. The majesty of Egyptian architecture, splayed out in a glorious profile as a backdrop to the drama. Even the expressions on the character's faces are wondrous to behold. This is a story that begs to be told in animated form. It is the first animated film from Dreamworks, and the effort they have gone to shows.
It has big names for voices as well. Ralph Fiennes voices the stubborn Rameses, Patrick Stewart is commanding as his father, Seti, Helen Mirren as the Queen, Steve Martin and Martin Short as villianous court magicians, even Danny Glover as a Midan high priest. Val Kilmer has the interesting double role as both Moses and God. I hope it doesn't go to his head.
Most people know the story of Moses, so I won't summarize it here. What sets this version apart from other interpretations of the story is the focus it has on the relationship between Moses and Rameses. I admired the way it emphasizes the conflict between the two, who are first seen as young men creating havoc in the streets with their chariot racing, inseparable. Later on, after Moses flees when he discovers his true origin, and returns to request the release of his people, the Hebrews, Rameses is crushed when he learns of his transformation, and hardens his heart, tragically, against the demands of Moses' strange God. This mission of Moses wasn't just about the commandments of God but his defiance of his assumed parentage, as a prince and brother to Rameses.
So many movies about Biblical events are underwhelming because they have breadth of vision but lack the capacity for conveying convincingly the miraculous sights involved. "Prince of Egypt" is able to use its vision and animation to communicate these things. It is a rare achievement.