When we think Dreamworks, we think animation along the lines of that found in classic family favourites such as Shrek, Shark Tale, Megamind, and Kung Fu Panda. But with Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas, we’re shown that Dreamworks can provide a more Disney-esque type of animated family film. I would not go as far as labelling this movie as a classic, but it’s definitely a film that I enjoyed on a variety of levels: all a combination of animation, screenplay, and orchestral music. At the end of the day, Sinbad is a very fine film, just not a classic like something to come out of the Disney Vault.
Whilst trying to steal the Book of Peace, legendary sailor and thief, Sinbad, runs into an old friend, Prince Proteus, and gives up the prize. Soon afterwards, Eris the Goddess of Chaos steals the Book and frames Sinbad for the crime. Sentenced to death, Sinbad’s life is temporarily extended when Proteus begs the council to take him instead, giving Sinbad ten days to reclaim the Book, prove his innocence, and save his friend. Now Sinbad is racing against time and battling monsters found only in legends in order to change his selfish and black-hearted ways and do the right thing.
Firstly, the animation of this movie is stunning: akin to that of our beloved Disney or even Don Bluth classics. It’s crisp with an anatomical realism and it’s absolutely breathtaking in terms of scenery and the mythological elements of the story: the sirens for example.
I’m assuming that the screenplay is based on the Seven Voyages of Sinbad, which can be found in 1001 Nights. Thinking along these lines, the screenplay wasn’t as crash hot as it could have been because some of the stories were a little jumbled with tales from Homer’s works. However, the story that did make up this movie was very good: rich in swashbuckling action, fantasy, romance, comedy, and emotional conflict.
And the music was absolutely mesmerising, particularly the Sirens’ song: it was gorgeous and hypnotic; you really felt what the male characters were feeling.
Featuring the voice talents of Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Timothy West, Adriano Giannini, Raman, Hui, and Jim Cummings, Sinbad Legend of the Seven Seas was a beautifully balanced and generally very good animated family film packed with swashbuckling action, stunning fantasy sequences, romance, drama, and comedy. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it was a classic, but it’s definitely worth watching if you’re a Dreamworks or Disney-esque animation fan. I enjoyed it muchly.
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