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Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Foreign fairy tale teaches cultural understanding.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The movie doesn't shy away from prejudice. At first, Azur and Crapoux talk endlessly about how awful/terrible/ugly the "land across the sea" is and how their country is much better. Azur won't open his blue eyes at first, because people think blue eyes are a curse. Azur's nobleman father is cruel to Jenane and Asmar, firing them and throwing them off his property. But eventually the two main characters, who were raised as brothers despite their different skin color and culture, collaborate and save each other's lives.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Scenes of animated peril include characters being stabbed, falling to their deaths off cliffs, being tied up, fighting with swords, and having to overcome dangerous obstacles.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Azur and Asmar each want to fall in love with the Djinn Fairy. Several couples dance and embrace. While it's not sexual, there is a glimpse of Jenane breastfeeding baby Asmar.

  • Language:

    Mild insults -- "idiot," "stupid" -- and taunting language: "I'm more handsome than you," "Your blue eyes are ugly," etc.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

Parents need to know that this French production's English-language version tackles issues of race, gender, class, and religion. Despite being set centuries ago, the story deals with more mature themes than many other animated films. The two main characters must overcome dangerous obstacles to save a fairy princess, all the while struggling with discrimination and cultural insensitivity. The majority of characters speak Arabic, and one character loves to point out everything that's "ugly" and "terrible" about the land's language and the people. Violence, while animated, is mostly realistic looking, with characters dueling, falling off cliffs, and facing trials of peril. The language includes mild insults and bigoted/superstitious remarks.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the movie's take on cultural prejudice. In what ways do Azur and Asmar have to overcome discrimination? The film takes modern issues of race, class, and gender and applies them to an old story. Is it effective? How does the character Crapoux learn his lesson? Kids: What do you think about the film's twist on the standard "happily every after" ending?
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More on Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest

What’s the Story?

In this English-language edition of an acclaimed, animated French production, the two titular characters, Azur (voiced by Steven Kynman) and Asmar (Nigel Pilkington), are both raised by Asmar's mother, Jenane (Suzanna Nour). Azur is a nobleman's son, and Asmar is the Arabic-speaking nanny's son. Despite being from opposite worlds, the two act like brothers until the lord of the house kicks Asmar and Jenane out and sends Azur to boarding school. Years later, Azur -- who believes Asmar and Jenane are dead -- travels to "the land across the sea," where he's determined to find and liberate the Djinn Fairy, an imprisoned fairy princess Jenane used to tell the boys about when they were young. When Azur arrives with his cursed blue eyes, he must overcome local superstition and his own bigotry to find the fairy -- something other adventurous suitors are also trying to do.
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Is It Any Good?

Although the animation itself is quite stylized, the film's story and colors are original and beautiful. It's rare to find a children's film that tackles issues of race, class, and religion head-on, without sugar-coating them. There's nothing subtle about the way Crapoux, Azur's companion, trash-talks the Arabic language, the local superstitions, and the people themselves. Late in the film, when Azur and Asmar are reunited and accomplish their goal together, the story proves that underneath all of our differences, we're all the same. It's a lovely message and adds to why the whole family will enjoy this memorable adventure.
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Movie Details

Studio: Weinstein Co., Director: Michel Ocelot
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/17/2008, DVD release: 3/17/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material, some mild action and peril.

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