I have to admit, I love this film. The music, the scope/size, the animation and the acting. Each actor contributes so much to the character they portray and take it seriously even if the film is animated. For these reasons, it is one of my favourite animated films and you may think it would lead to a biased review. Well actually I do have some complaints and qualms with it. But more about that later. For now, let's concentrate on the plot.
Well, after a huge opening number (seriously, this trumps Lion King's circle of life!) we meet Moses and Ramasses II, both have great power and a loving family. When Moses meets two slaves, they reveal themselves as his siblings. Conflicted over the power he reigns over his own people and the commitment to his family, he tries to find a compromise. But after accidentally killing a slave driver, he runs from home and is met by a group of nomads of Midian. Tzipporah, a woman he met earlier and helped, marries him and they settle to a peaceful life. But God of the Hebrews calls on Moses to free the slave of Egypt, to let his people go. (Okay, by now that is a lot of plot, but there is so much more). Setting off the Egypt, he finds that his brother is now Pharaoh and must appeal to him for their freedom. It is now a battle of two opposing forces, with the many false Gods of Egypt under the command of an embittered Ramasses versus the Moses with the influence of God and his extended family of the Hebrews.
Now the film has a lot going for it. The stellar cast including Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff Goldblum, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren and more! (Sorry, but there are reasons this film is underrated and reasons why it should not, this is one of those reasons). Also it has brilliant animation and it's made by Spielberg's company, Dreamworks, whats not to like. How about the comedy. Not all, but most of the comedy here seems in my opinion, very forced. The scenes when the characters are trying to do something funny, it comes off as...well, awkward. Other times it is actually very natural. Casting Jeff Goldblum as Moses brother Aaron actually works because the stammering and timidness in Jeff's voice works for the character, while at the same time can be warm and friendly or cold and abrasive. The main source of comic relief comes from Hotep and Huy (voiced by Steve Martin and Martin Short) and...yeah they are very unnatural given the setting and stand out way too much. That said they do have a good music number. But this all comes down to it, my only fixing of this script would be keeping out all the comedy and going all out to create a darker, more poignant retelling of the story of Exodus. The scenes I spoke of earlier as natural humour, should remain as they offset the darker material making the lighter material much more welcoming after watching the darker stuff. My other complaint is actually personal, as I find the more times I watch it the less effect it has on me. This is due, I suppose, to my ability to retain almost every-single detail from films. I mentioned this in my Scott Pilgrim review, so you get the drill.
As for what I love. Well, everything else. I love the songs, especially the opening song and the Plagues. Each song moves the story along and/or conveys the characters emotions. There are no songs I dislike or favour less. Most of these songs and the incredible score are thanks to one of my favourite composers Hans Zimmer, whom you may have heard of as the composer of the score of The Dark Knight and Gladiator. Also, in case I forget, Moses mother is sung by Ofra Haza, one of the best singers I have ever heard who sadly passed away The actors, as I said, amazing. The intimidating presence of Ralph and the everyman presentation of Val are very good and when you see the development of their character it really feels like historical fact you just watched, even if there are some artistic liberties. The actual size of everything and using the animation to it's fullest potential is really quite incredible. Concentrating on the relationship rather than the religion is actually a really good idea. If religion was the focus it might have caused controversy (or more of it) and it would also be forced. Thank goodness they kept it to the brothers and made us realise that the two were still close even after those many years. And its just an all around feel good film. After watching, you feel a little bit more holy. For atheists and agnostics, you can still enjoy it. Just read all of the above to see whether or not it's your cup of tea.
I believe the reason nobody talks about this film anymore is the religious themes and the fact that nobody takes animation seriously (even though it has it's own category in the Academy Awards and three animated films are so good they were nominated for Best Picture). The other reason is that some actually compare it against The Ten Commandments. At this point I should think that you would be getting some better points from Nostalgia Critic or Doug Walker. He has Disneycember and Dreamworksuary, while as the critic he has covered it in his old vs new Ten commandments vs Prince of Egypt and in his top 11 underrated nostalgic classics. I don't have to much more to say except that this is a real classic and one of the best animated films of all time.
Video belongs to Jessica van den Brand
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