With musical numbers and gags that make light of other animated films, you might get the impression that "The Prince of Egypt" isn't your parents' "Ten Commandments."
And, of course, it's not.
For one thing, this is an animated musical and not a dramatic epic. Nor, for that matter, is it nearly as moving or majestic as the 1956 classic.
That's due in part to the filmmakers being forced to put the story into a more compact, "traditional" running time (less than half of what Cecil B. DeMille had to work with). In fact, there are times when this animated musical resembles a "Cliff Notes" version of the biblical Exodus story.
Still, it's a film that has its heart in the right place. And "The Prince of Egypt" certainly deserves credit for trying to make a great story accessible to modern-day audiences.
The animation is so spectacular that the experiment is particularly worthy on a visual level. And using both traditional film animation and some computerized effects allows the filmmakers to show events in an even grander fashion (in particular, the parting of the Red Sea scene is breathtaking).
Much of the story is told through song (all written by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz), beginning with Moses' fateful trip down the Nile in a basket. Egypt's Queen (voiced by Helen Mirren) discovers the infant in a basket and decides to keep him, and raise him as the son of Pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart).
Moses (Val Kilmer) is oblivious to his true heritage (he is actually a Hebrew, a second-class citizen in Egypt). And he enjoys all the privileges of royalty as he grows up. That is, until his long-lost brother and sister clue in the disbelieving prince.
Tormented by that knowledge and an accidental killing, Moses heads off into the desert, where he finds true love and discovers his purpose on Earth — he has been sent by God to free the Hebrews and deliver them from slavery.
Meanwhile, Seti dies and his blood son, Rameses (Ralph Fiennes), succeeds him as Pharaoh. And despite their once-close relationship, Rameses vows to thwart Moses' efforts.
As mentioned, there is some surprising humor, which helps the story avoid becoming overwhelmingly dark, as does the spiritual nature of the lyrics. And while not all the songs are great ("Playing With the Big Boys" is a particular clunker), they are effective in progressing the story.
The vocal cast is also effective, including Kilmer, whose powerful performance has to be considered a surprise, considering his film work of late. And Fiennes makes a sympathetic Rameses, one who is driven by obligation, even though it brings him into conflict with his beloved brother.
"The Prince of Egypt" is rated PG for violent animated whippings and bow-and-arrow fire, as well as some menacing images.