 |
Joseph - King of Dreams by Rob LaDuca, Robert C. Ramirez
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
DVD detailsActor: Ben Affleck, Jodi Benson, Mark Hamill, Maureen McGovern, Richard Herd Director: Rob LaDuca, Robert C. Ramirez Brand: Dreamworks Producer: Cathy Schoch Producer: Jeffrey Katzenberg Writer: Eugenia Bostwick-Singer Writer: Joe Stillman Writer: Marshall Goldberg Writer: Raymond Singer DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1 Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen Picture Format: 1.85:1 Running Time: 75 minutes DVD Release Date: 2000-11-07 Audience Rating: Unrated Studio: Dreamworks Animated
DVD Reviews of Joseph - King of DreamsDVD Review: Ambitious Direct-To-DVD Family Film Summary: 4 Stars
Although it lacks the starpower and budget of its predecessor, "Prince of Egypt," "Joseph: King of Dreams" is a very ambitious film for the direct-to-DVD market. It features the voice talents of Ben Affleck(Daredevil, Gigli), Mark Hamill(the Star Wars trilogy, Batman: The Animated Series), James Eckhouse(Beverly Hills, 90210), Steven Weber(Wings), and Jodi Benson(Ariel of "The Little Mermaid"). It also features the voices of Dan Castellaneta, Maureen McGovern, Rene Auberjonois, Judith Light, and other established actors.
It tells the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors and how his father, Jacob, puts him on a pedestal above his other brothers. When Joseph's bragging goes a little too far, his brothers sell him into slavery. Little do they know that he will eventually become second only to Pharoah in power and literally hold their futures in his hands. The story sticks relatively close to that of the Bible. It handles the dreams that Joseph has and interprets in a very good manner. They standout from the rest of the film without actually separating themselves from the overall story.
The music is sort of average, and not on the level of "Prince," but it does move the story along at a decent clip. The animation is also a step down from "Prince," but the budget was also considerably smaller, so I'll let that pass.
Some have claimed that God is only mentioned once in this film. However, if you follow the story and the actions of Joseph (especially when he is imprisoned), you'll see that God is everywhere in this film. It is all left to interpretation, and if you don't look for God, you'll obviously not see him in this movie.
I highly recommend this story as a companion piece to "Prince of Egypt." Although some may see it as a sequel, it's actually just another film based on a story from the Bible. After viewing this flick, try reading the actual story to your children and see if they can pick out the differences and similarities between the real story and Dreamworks' version.
Please note that there is a little bit of violence in this film, but nothing along the lines of of "Prince of Egypt." There is also a tad bit of sensuality when Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce Joseph, but this is handled quite nicely in the film and little ones will most likely not catch on to it.
A really good film with solid production and voice talent. I highly recommend it.
More Joseph - King of Dreams reviews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of Joseph - King of DreamsBased on a classic tale known the world over, JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS is a stirring story of family and forgiveness. An inspiring musical adventure, JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS retells the fascinating story of a boy whose extraordinary gift of seeing the future in his dreams sparks a deep division in his family. The jealousy of his brothers sends Joseph to faraway Egypt, where he is suddenly thrown into a world of high adventure, hidden intrigue and blossoming romance. In this new land, the Pharaoh enlists Joseph to interpret his royal dreams and save Egypt from disaster. Joseph is rewarded with honor and status, and as he rises to power, Joseph finds love and happiness. But when a sudden twist of fate reunites Joseph with his brothers, Joseph must face decisions of forgiveness. As the millennium turns, the crazed trend to produce direct-to-video sequels swells. Very few of these sequels are inspired, although most do not harm their origins. One might understandably pick up something labeled "from the makers of The Prince of Egypt with trepidation. Happily, the makers leave Moses alone and tell the tale of another Bible star, Joseph, known for his coat of many colors and a fantastic destiny. Joseph (voiced by Ben Affleck), his father's favorite son, is sold into slavery by his jealous half-brothers. After years of struggle, Joseph rises to be the Pharaoh's trusted adviser when his gift for interpreting dreams pays dividends. The 78-minute feature is rich in color and features several strong songs ("Better Than I" is the standout) written by newcomer John Bucchino. The film's religious elements are secondary, yet its heart is in the right spot--a most agreeable stance for a wider audience. Prince was designed as an "event" movie and suffered in the hype and marketing. With lower aims, Joseph is a more satisfying film and even invites the unexpected: we're ready for the next "sequel." --Doug Thomas
|
 |