Review of The Prince of Egypt (1998) by Dave H — 09 Mar 2013

I really don't understand some of the reviews I've read for this that say the story is flawed or boring and that the characters are shallow and other ridiculous things like that. I can't help but feel that these critics and reviewers alike have been caught up in the pretentious and self-righteous thought processes that plague Hollywood today; these folks think they're too smart for a film dealing with God and that religion is dated and therefore they shun anything that tries to portray a deity in a tangible way (being an animated film makes it even more susceptible to being shunned). However, if you go into this movie without and preconceived ideas of how the film should be or an ideological qualms against animated films or films that portray God I think you'll be thoroughly impressed.

This film was one of those ones that I don't remember seeing for the first time because it came out when I was five, all I remember is that I always enjoyed watching it as a kid. Like many folks going through high school and even some into college, I got a lot of crap from folks because I still liked these supposed "kid's cartoons". I honestly don't give a crap what they say, this film has so much more depth to it than many live action films that are aimed at my generation nowadays. I never really recognized it how as a child how as I grew up there were always more things that I'd take from this film even as I grew up. I used to be just entertained because it was a cool story on the surface, as an adult now I look at this film from an entirely different perspective and am still amazed by this film. I grew up going to church and was raised as a Christian (queue hollywood liberals getting up in arms) but through high school and now I had a lot of inner conflicts regarding religion.

This film, to me, is not a religious film, but it portrays God in such a real and believable way that it just amazes me; if there is a God out there, this is who he is. The problem with religion nowadays is 90% of people who proclaim to be religious don't even know anything about their own religion; they use their God as an excuse to get what they want. They say God told them to massacre people and such. When what God wants just happens to coincide with what you want that's not really a good sign. It means you're doing it wrong!!! However, this film amazes me because we see God as he really is not as people say he is for their own selfish purposes. The burning bush scene is so powerful because God is asking Moses to do something that he doesn't want to do! This wasn't like God said, "Hey Moses, I have a really easy task for you and you'll make personal gains, go out and use me as an excuse for your own benefit." he said, "I have a very tough task and I've chosen you to accomplish it. It will not be fun nor pleasant and it will not be easy but you must do it." This is something that Moses would have much rather ignored than accepted. I bet he wished Yahweh wasn't real and wasn't calling on him, that would have made things easier on him. He wouldn't have to face his past or face his brother or be God's tool to free the Israelites. Unfortunately for Moses, God was real and was commanding him to free his people. Moses even argues with God saying, "you've chosen the wrong messenger, how can I even speak to these people." Even in the song The Plagues, Moses sings, "and even know I wish that God had chose another, serving as your foe on his behalf is the last thing that I wanted." This strikes such a chord for me. It just makes the films seem so real because those who really are called by God are called to do things they don't want to do.

Aside from the magnificent portrayal of God and Moses' inner struggle to accomplish the daunting task given to him against his will. The animation itself is fantastic and the music is top notch. I have the whole soundtrack on my iPod and give a listen frequently. I honestly can't understand how anyone can hate on this film. It is as magnificent and real of a portrayal of the Isrealites and Yahweh in the old testament as you are ever going to find.