1998, 1 hr 37 min., Rated PG for intense depiction of thematic elements. Dir: Brenda Chapman and Steve Hickner. Voices of: Moses (Val Kilmer), Rameses (Ralph Feinnes), Seti (Patrick Stewart), Zipporah (Michelle Pfeifer), Miriam (Sandra Bullock), Aaron (Jeff Goldblum), Jethro (Danny Glover).

Trailers: Tarzan-next big Disney animated film, looks pretty good; The Out-of-Towners starring two washed-uppers, Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn, will flop; The King and I, animated Warner Brothers that has a monkey like Abu from Aladdin and the lead woman who reminds me more of Mary Poppins; Forces of Nature starring Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock might be okay; October Sky, low budget flick that I won't see.

I trust we all know the plot to The Prince of Egypt. It follows the biblical story of Moses, found in the book of Exodus in the Old Testament- for those who are from another planet.

There are a couple of inaccuracies which I'll mention later, but they're minor and insignificant to the film's story. If you've seen Cecil B. de Mille's The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston, then you'll play along with its animated version, which is essentially the substance of The Prince of Egypt.

The important relationship is close friendship of brothers Moses and Rameses, sons of the Pharaoh living the life of luxury. Throughout the film we feel the pain as the two struggle to fulfill opposite destinies--Moses to free the Hebrews, God's chosen people and Rameses as the heir to the crown whose goal is a bigger, more majestic city as a tribute to the greatest dynasty (or "superpower" as called today) on Earth.

The character development here is solid, and the brothers' emotion is seen at all times. When Rameses' heart is hardened, you can see it in his expression and it gave me a chill. It's weird to say the acting is great for an animated film, but it is in The Prince of Egypt.

DreamWorks has a had a successful year, with Saving Private Ryan, Antz and Small Soldiers all receiving generous box office receipts and critical acclaim. That will not end with The Prince of Egypt, because again the creators have used a popular story and turned it into an animated epic. However, I'm disappointed that DreamWorks relegated God to a supporting role, even to the point where Moses seems to receive all the credit for the immense miracles performed. God comes across soothing in the same sentence as being vindictive and petty.

The animation is almost flawless and many scenes are breathtaking. The sandstorm, plagues and monuments are amazing, but there were two spectacular moments of animation: 1) The breath of God during the Passover. It is a chilling reminder of the power of God, and when followed by hearing the tormented cries of Egypt as their first born sons perish is moving; and 2) The pillar of fire and parting of the Red Sea is the most important notice God can give that he protects his people, and the scene is full of the grander and awe one would expect.

Now, I did say almost flawless. There are a few times where characters are moving awkward. But other than that I have few complaints, because the characters are also drawn to convey what emotion the filmmaker wants us to feel. Such as the hard edges of the Egyptians faces and bodies, the weak struggle of the overworked Hebrew slaves and the loose, spunky and playful features of the free Midians in the desert.

I have two favorite scenes after my first viewing: 1) Moses in the camp of Jethro and the Midians, expressing joy at life in dance and song; and 2) the Hebrews' exultation of being freed and leaving Egypt to the song "When You Believe" (which I like sung better in the film than the version performed by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston).

I would not recommend The Prince of Egypt for kids under 10 because they'll be bored. At least the dozen behind me were early in the movie. I especially note a cute little girl named Bailey who couldn't resist standing behind my head, running in the row behind me and playing with the retractable armrests (I noticed this from a couple more kids, too). I love kids and all, just not when I'm watching a movie. Did school have to let out at 11 a.m. for Christmas? That's part of my joy in noon movies, few others there. Or am I too crabby for a 23-year-old? Ask me again when I'm a parent.

But this is not the typical Disney animated fare. There's some humor but not an abundance, there's some disturbing slave-driving shots, a few cute camels and children, but then also a lot of important dialogue. The songs are nice a couple of times and add to the emotions, but also a couple of times it was unnecessary and took away from the moment.

Is it just me, or is it difficult sometimes to notice the celebrity voice with the character? I had no idea that Michelle Pfeifer was the voice of Tzipporah, Moses' wife, or Ralph Feinnes was Rameses and Sandra Bullock as Miriam. Even Val Kilmer as Moses was toned down (even though I did notice that he was also the voice of God). The most obvious was Patrick Stewart as Seti, the Pharaoh and father to Rameses. Even as we are, I suppose, directed to think of Seti as evil, with Stewart's voice even I was almost convinced the Hebrews were no more than slaves! (See Postscript for Jeff Goldblum's note)

Oh, and the court magicians who look like Laurel and Hardy (voiced by Steve Martin and Martin Short) have a musical scene that eerily reminded me of Winnie the Pooh's effalumps and woozels. That part freaks me out! (Almost as much as the monkeys in The Wizard of Oz, but that's another story.

The verdict: -- I'll give it four because it follows the story fairley close and comes across as an animated epic for the ages with groundbreaking animation.

Postscript: the inaccuracies:
1) Aaron is, in the Bible, a priest and Moses' communicator as deemed by God, because Moses had a stuttering problem. But in Prince, Aaron was too problematic. I believe that because Jeff Goldblum was the voice, DreamWorks had to give it an edge, which isn't really a good thing. If you're going to change the story because of the celebrity voice, then go back to when voices were by unknowns (it's worked for The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, etc. etc.)