Starring Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dennis Haysbert, Joseph Fiennes
Plot Summary This movie follows the adventures of the famous Arabian
sailor, Sinbad. The adventure starts when Eris, the goddess of Chaos,
steals the "Book of Peace", and frames Sinbad for the crime.
Setting out to prove his innocence (and save the life of his best friend,
Proteus), Sinbad travels to the realm that Eris resides in, where he is
challenged by terrifying monsters including a giant scorpion, serpent
and a 40-foot-tall bird made of ice and snow.
One stake for Brad Pitt. One for Catherine Zeta Jones. And one for Michelle Pfeiffer.
Ok, maybe not exactly, but the star power of this movie is swaying my judgement considerably. It’s just such a shame that YOU CAN’T ACTUALLY SEE THEM. @#%@#^@^#@. So anyway, this is Dreamworks’ attempt at a cartoon, except not a snide sarcastic adult one like “Shrek.” It’s nowhere near Disney quality, and Pixar has even less to worry about, BUT it’s not entirely too shabby.
Maybe it’s just the history “buff” in me, but I love mythology and fantasy tales so the story of Sinbad is already appealing. Secondly, associating him with the hot guy that played in the KTLA version of Sinbad isn’t bad either. And finally, his voice being the melodic angelic voice of Brad Pitt makes him one lovable guy, so our protagonist is already fully developed into a likable guy even before he moves.
Unfortunately, the downfall in the film comes from the plot, which is fairly weak in dialogue and believable or complex action sequences. I know cartoons are fairly unrealistic (e.g. if Looney Toons existed Coyote would be dead and the Road Runner in jail) but sliding down an icy mountain at mach 10 speed and surviving without a scratch is teaching kids to be reckless. What if little Timmy tried the same thing? Let’s just say it’d be less congratulating and more scrapping him off the sidewalk with a spatula. I’m all for fantasy as the next person, but Disney combines the essence of both fantasy and realism to a degree. Hence, Mufasa dying. And if they do feature an impossible task, they also find a more clever way of maneuvering out of it, versus just jumping.
Ok, so you’ve got really hot people voicing the characters, why not model the cartoon after them? I hate to say it but these guys are a lot less attractive than Disney cartoons. Maybe it was Sinbad’s fu manchu mustache and Marina’s boy cut hair, but I was inclined to stare at the screen for them. Seriously, you have perfectly good looking models in front of you! Why not emulate?! @#$@#%@%/.
But, all in all it’s a pretty good effort from Dreamworks. There are some enjoyable moments, but it just doesn’t hit you the same way a Disney cartoon does. It’s a bit too childish in some parts and way too adult in others (the nipple joke was unnecessary…). Just decide for goodness sakes! So I guess if you either really really like cartoons, or the melodious sound of Brad Pitt’s voice, then catch this flick. Otherwise, re-watch “Finding Nemo.”