 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Prince of Egypt
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Well-told story that's careful not to offend.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the filmmakers have done a good job of making this film exciting and vivid while being careful not to offend anyone.
What's the story?
Dreamworks SKG's first animated feature is a respectful retelling of the story of Moses. The movie takes some liberties with the story, with Moses (voice of Val Kilmer) and Ramses (voice of Ralph Feinnes) raised as brothers who love each other deeply. But Moses learns that he was born a slave and that the man he loves and respects as his father, the Pharaoh Seti (voice of Patrick Stewart), once ordered the murder of the slave babies. Struggling with his new understanding, he impulsively pushes aside a guard who is beating a slave, and the guard falls to his death. Ramses promises to pardon him, but Moses runs away. He lives peacefully with nomads, marrying the spirited Tzipporah (voice of Michelle Pfeiffer), until he receives a message from God, telling him that he must return to Egypt and free the slaves. Ramses, by now Pharaoh, is at first happy to see him, but refuses to grant his plea to "let my people go." Felled by plagues that include locusts, boils, frogs, and, finally, the death of the first-born children, Ramses finally agrees. But just as Moses is leading the Hebrews through the parted Red Sea, Ramses arrives with his army. The Red Sea closes over them, and Moses and his people are free.
Is it any good?
Presided over by former Disney-ite Jeffrey Katzenberg ("The Lion King") the movie has some astonishing visual effects, particularly a chariot race that rivals "Ben Hur" and the parting of the Red Sea. This story, central to three great world religions, should be familiar to most children. The filmmakers have done a good job of making it exciting and vivid while being careful not to offend anyone. The musical numbers are largely forgettable, but the characters and the story remain compelling. Ramses, loving Moses, but terrified of being responsible for the end of a dynasty, is, if not a sympathetic character, a flawed but understandable one. And Miriam and Tzipporah are strong, intelligent female characters.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's themes of taking responsibility and the importance of freedom.
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AGE
So wonderful, that they've made it a world wide film translated in over 100 languages.
It's been my favorite sinse I was little. Beautiful animation and soundtrack, and keeps a tad well with the story. Sure a few things are changed, but not enough to be frowned apon. It shows the horrors of slavery, and it expresses not to give up on yourself or God. There are a few small things that might scare children- (of course). Like, a few deaths (not really graphic) and the Angel of Death- which I used to be terrified of when I was younger. The song 'When You Believe' might make you cry because it was sang with such emotion, and there's almost no doubt that you'll love this movie.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 8, 2009
AGE
CLASSIC
this movie is a classic i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Accurate Retelling of Exodus/Story of Moses - but not for preschoolers
We watched Prince of Egypt during the Jewish holiday of Passover, which celebrates the escape from slavery in Egypt. I loved the film for its faithfulness to the storyline while handling heavy and serious themes in a very appropriate way.
I also appreciated the music.
This move is NOT appropriate for preschoolers. They show slaves being whipped and the death of first born egyptian sons - tactful but too much for little children
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AGE
the ten commandments for kids
a good movie. warning: seeing this and the ten commandments can be EXTREMELY confusing. both state completely diff. facts
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AGE
Stunning Movie!!...Many Opportunities for Discussion...
Our kids have watched this since they were about 1 and 3 years old. I have had to do a lot of explaining about the slaves, why they were being hurt and made to work until exhaustion, and why certain people died (a guard whipping a slave being accidentally pushed off a ledge by Moses, 1st borns being "taken" by a ghostly mist, and soldiers being swallowed up by the return of the sea). Some parents, especially of small children, may not want their kids to see those types of images or want to discuss them. You know your child!! Some scenes like the different plagues or heiroglyphic animation might really scare some of the more sensitive children. Watch first and decide what's right for your family.
Moses is a wonderful character to look up to in this movie! His wife is a VERY strong female role model, as well!! In this beautifully done story, children learn of kindness, compassion, finding happiness and contentment in a hopeless situation, and love of your fellow man. The music is truly moving, probably one of my most favorite scores! The movie itself is not too preachy, but tells the BASIC story of Moses with delicious music and stunning animation! I HIGHLY recommend this movie!!!
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AGE
Excellent Movie for all ages
This is a great movie that not only entertains but is relatively accurate via most religions. Good job.
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AGE
The Prince of Egypt-the Prince of Greatness
I watched it when I was at least 5 and LOVED it, now I own it, non only the movie, but the soundtrack! Its one of my favorite Bible stories, I thought it was touching and reflects what really happened, except they left some parts that wouldn't work for a kids movie. I love Miriam too, she and I look a lot alike and we have the same spirit. I think they need to show stories like that to make sure people know its wrong, and to make sure it would never happen again. . Dream Works did an amazing job, and I'd recomend it to families to watch. . it's great.
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AGE
Incredible!
Great, fantastic movie about the infamous Exodus. One of the greatest animation achievements of our age. Awesome! The animation and the score were not of this world!
One short sequence of a woman in a skimpy outfit. We realize she's forced into it and she never dresses like that again. Still, completely unnecessary.
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AGE
2000 Stars
I can't see how anyone could hate this, it is amazing, well written, beautiful music, great animation, and with humor! I thought it was all very well done, and its so amazing it was sold around the world and made into many differen't languages.
I watched this sinse I was a little girl, at least four, and was never really scared of it except for the angel of death (its weird because I'm scared of MANY things) They pretty much stuck with the storyline, there was never a time I was bored, although Ramasies is suppose to be cruel, I like it at the beginning when he was just a simple silly boy that doesn't want to upset his father. It will make you cry, I pretty much garantee it. Its something kids need to see, so don't shelter them so much, they'll learn something, and it may inhance their faith.
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AGE
take a thrill ride through ancient egypt!
I watched this movie for the first time a few years ago and i loved it!!! It got me really intrested in ancient egypt!! IFFY for 8 for the following: BAD MESSAGES: At the begining rymases and moses are not good role models because they constntly guff of desroying temples. VILONCE: There is sword fights, lots of peril, and a unicspected death of a young child. SEX: moses is obously naked and ladys r shown cleaning him (without showing any privite parts) and then moses says "please ladies you have cleaned evry inch of me". but then the ladies clean well u know his u know. Then moses looks down and says "ow i was wrong." and moses gets married and kisses his wife on the cheek. LANGUAGE: NONE DRINKING AND SMOKING: NONE. But even though that movie has VIOLONCE, SEX, AND SOME BAD ROLE MODELS AND MESSAGES i say this movie is on for 9 and up! The good side to this movie is that it is very educational!
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| Topics: | history |
| Studio: | DreamWorks |
| Directors: | Brenda Chapman, Simon Wells, Steve Hickner |
| Cast: | Michelle Pfeiffer, Ralph Fiennes, Val Kilmer |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 18, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | October 26, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | intense depiction of thematic elements |
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