Review : The Prince of Egypt

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT : An Egyptian prince learns of his identity as a Hebrew and, later his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.

This is the extraordinary story of two brothers named Moses and Ramses, one born of royal blood, and one an orphan with a secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But as it would later occur, nothing lasts forever and the truth will ultimately set them at odds, as one becomes the ruler of a powerful empire, and the other the chosen leader of his people by god! It is during their final confrontation that they will forever change their lives and the world they live in.

It's an uplifting, emotional roller coaster of a film for an hour and a half it's a lot to take in, and there's a lot of religious intent from where pass over comes from and there is a lot to learn watching this, not just by judging it from the way it is animated, but by from which we as people can judge ourselves, look at Ramses for instance can we let our stubborn pride blind us from what is happening in the world or do we choose to deny what's in front of us because we can.

This film is mainly about the story of Moses. For those who are not familiar with the story of Moses then I suggest you should watch this film intensively as you'll gain an education in watching it and learning about just the kind of character he was and how he communicated with God and how god reaches out to Moses as his chosen one.

What makes 'The Prince of Egypt quite an intriguing story is the snappy confrontation and conflict between the two brothers. The purpose of Moses's mission and Ramses who is Pharaoh. Moses reaches out to him or at least tries to when he says 'All you have to do is let the slaves go' and Ramses says 'No'. It is by saying no that God inflicts the consequences of Ramses actions to such a dramatic extent that the innocent must suffer as well as himself. So it is Ramses to blame for what's happened.

Above everything else and against all odd; the filmmakers at Dreamworks have done a good job of making this film exciting and vivid while being careful not to offend anyone.

The film really does have some astonishing visual effects, particularly a chariot race that rivals "Ben Hur" and the parting of the Red Sea. This story, central to three great world religions, should be familiar to most children and reverts back to my point of education being key to the success of the overall enjoyment of the film. 

Anyone can sit and watch this and be uplifted by the efforts that are made on both sides of the argument between the rivalry of these two brother, a rivalry which is very snappy and back and forth and shows no sign of ending.

The musical numbers are largely forgettable, but the characters and the story remain compelling. Ramses, loving Moses, but terrified of being responsible for the end of a dynasty, is, if not a sympathetic character, a flawed but understandable one. And Miriam and Tzipporah are strong, intelligent female characters.

Overall I never liked this as a child, it used to scare me. But now that I am older and more mature; I understand that an adult audience can appreciate this more than a younger viewer possibly could. I'll give it 8/10.