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Joseph: King of Dreams (NR, 2000)

common sense media says

Animated Bible story too scary for very young.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie, based on the Joseph story from the book of Genesis, contains more violence than the typical kids' animated musical. Joseph's prophetic dreams show wolves, destruction, beheadings, and birds feeding on human flesh. Joseph's brothers plot against him, selling him into slavery. A woman falsely accuses Joseph of sexual assault. Joseph undergoes horrific trials, from slavery to prison, but overcomes them to rise to a position of power in Egypt. The movie explores how he will deal with his brothers, given his status; will he get revenge, or show forgiveness?

Positive messages: This is a story of jealousy, revenge, and forgiveness. Joseph's brothers envy his special status and plot to get rid of him. When he rises to a position of power after years of strife, Joseph has a chance to get revenge on his brothers and forgives them instead.
Violence & scariness: As in many of the best-loved Bible stories, violence is replete. Joseph's dreams contain scary images of wolves and destruction, beheadings, and birds feeding on human flesh. His brothers push him into a pit and sell him into slavery, and a slave auction is depicted. Sordid conditions in jail, including swarms of rats, are part of the story.
Sexy stuff: Potiphar's wife makes romantic overtures to Josesph that culminate in her tearing at his clothes; rejected, she screams for help and accuses him of attacking her. Kisses and embraces between Joseph and his wife Asenath.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Joseph: King of Dreams

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Joseph's brothers were so jealous of him. When Joseph was put in jail by Potipher what was it that helped him through the solitary weeks and months? Why did Joseph put the drinking chalice in Benjamin's sack of grain? Do you think it was difficult for Joseph to forgive his brothers?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In the opening song, Joseph (voiced by (Ben Affleck) is told repeatedly he is "a miracle child," whose special purpose God has not yet revealed. This infuriates his brothers, who labor in the field while their younger brother studies, draped in his many-colored cloak. The brothers decide to sell Joseph into slavery, telling their parents that he's been killed by wild animals. In the pharaoh's palace, working for Potipher and his wife, Joseph shows skill in dream interpretation, organizing, and managing. During a jail term for a crime in which he was falsely accused, he gains perspective and trust in God. Joseph emerges more powerful than ever. As a result, he is given a chance to make a choice: to seek revenge on his brothers or forgive them.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Two years after Moses' story got the animated musical treatment in The Prince of Egypt it was Joseph's turn. JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS sticks to the same winning formula, drafting A-list voice talent and even better animators. But it lacks Egypt's poignant tunes and powerful storytelling -- which is perhaps why it ended up skipping the theaters and going straight to DVD.

The animation is accomplished. Particularly compelling are the dream sequences, which almost look like animated Van Gogh paintings. For an animated kids' feature, there is a fairly high level of violence, from the brothers menacing Joseph to his grisly dream interpretations for fellow cell-mates in prison. His struggle with whether to punish his brothers is touching, as is his wife Aseneth's (Jodi Benson) counsel to her husband.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Rob DaLuca
Cast: Ben Affleck, Mark Hamill, Maureen McGovern
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 74 minutes
Theatrical release: November 7, 2000
DVD release: November 7, 2000
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Nancy Davis Kho
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

mamamandy
parent
7
 
good, but know your kids
for the most part I agree with the review. the movie does contain some things that may scare your children if they scare easily. mine are 6 and 7 and do not. the words sexual assault are not said, if you have a child old enough to wonder what the lady did wrong it can be explained that she lied and said Joseph tried to hurt her when he didn't. that is very simple and age appropriate and there is nothing in the movie that would give them more information than that. kids who might wonder about the scene before that and why she lied can be told that she was trying to be too friendly with Joseph and that it's wrong for a lady to be that friendly with a man who isn't her husband. again, simple and age appropriate. kids not old enough to hear that will be young enough that that scene goes right over their heads. just preview it and know your own kids.
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Abigail Belting
kid, 11 years old
7
 
story of forgiveness
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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