The Prince of Egypt: My favourite film, and why it should be yours as well...

               

IN MY OPINION, THIS FILM IS A MASTERPIECE FROM THE ART OF ANIMATION. The Prince of Egypt is a narrative tale based on the story of Moses, and how he rose from the princely courts of ancient Egypt to becoming the one of the most revered prophets in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths  The first time I can recall seeing this film is when I was three or four years old, and I've adored it with every fibre of my being since; not only is this film beautifully designed and crafted, but the sheer human emotion it manages to convey through its epic narrative is truly awe-inspiring.

I think what captivates me most about this film is its ability to make me feel intimately close to Moses' character; his relationship with his Pharaoh brother Rameses, his self-discovery and marriage during his stay in Midian, and the crippling responsibilities he has as a prophet, are all real to me. This movie washes, dries, and hangs your emotions out to dry. However, the beauty of this film lies in how delicate it can be (as well as living up to its epic genre title); quiet scenes mark reverent and powerful points in the narrative, giving free way for the voice cast to bring their characters to life.

                       

The medium of animation allows complete creative freedom, which is ultimately exemplified in The Prince of Egypt; not only is the actual animation satisfyingly fluid and lifelike, but the lighting, special effects, and scale of scenes are fine tuned to the mood and needs of the narrative. The fact that the film is animated also makes it approachable to younger viewers, even though it deals with fairly heavy subject matter, which I find as an admirable attempt to teach children about injustices which are faced even to this day

BUT WAIT, IT'S A MUSICAL TOO?! Yes, it's an animated musical which sits comfortably on the shelf alongside Disney's masterpieces such as Snow White or Aladdin. Hanz Zimmer writes the score, and Stephen Schwarts writes the songs, which are little pieces of art in their own right. The music in the film is its crowning glory, again bringing home the emotions felt by Moses, his loved ones, or even the masses he leads away into exodus.

I will never tire of this film, and I hope anyone reading this will give it the attention it deserves by watching this true masterpiece of a film.