Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
for adventure action, some mild sensuality and brief language.
Reviewed by: Jonathan Rothgeb
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Children |
| Genre: | Animation and Romance |
| Length: | 1 hr. 26 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2003 |
| USA Release: |
| Featuring | Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dennis Haysbert, Joseph Fiennes |
| Director |
Tim Johnson, Patrick Gilmore |
| Producer | Jeffrey Katzenberg, Mireille Soria, John Wells |
| Distributor |
 DreamWorks Pictures, aka DreamWorks Studios, a production label of Amblin Partners |
When I was a kid, I was a big fan of such gallant tales such as “The Arabian Nights” and “Treasure Island” and “Gulliver’s Travels.” First, in movie form then, as I grew older, in written form. One of my favorite movies was “The Adventures of Sinbad.” Now, I realize that this particular story has been done to death, but I never tired of seeing this courageous character dash across the screen to take on mythical creatures, save the damsel, and get the treasure. It is a part of every boy’s fantasy!
Dreamworks Studios has done a wonderful job of bringing this magical tale to the children of today. The story has changed somewhat from what I remember as a youth, but then again, I have seen several films based on this character and they all seem to vary slightly. In this version, we see a dashing Sinbad (Brad Pitt) as he attempts to take the “Book of Peace” from his boyhood friend Proteus (Joseph Fiennes). In the process, they are interrupted by the villain Eris (Michelle Pfeiffer), goddess of the underworld.
Eris frames Sinbad for the theft of the book and is found guilty. His friend Proteus, convinced of Sinbad’s innocence, trades his life for Sinbad’s. Sinbad is given a limited time to recover the book and stop the execution of his friend. Sinbad battles the creatures that Eris sends his way, and his own desire to put himself first and flee.
To help on this quest Proteus’ finacee, Marina (Katherine Zeta-Jones), stows away on the ship and soon the two discover that they make a great team. Together with the rest of Sinbad’s crew they travel to Eris’ realm to face the ultimate test of friendship and truth.
In the real world, we too are on a quest for peace and truth. At times that we battle our own demons, only to face the reality that we are our own worst enemy. We must make a decision to turn from what may be easy but wrong to follow a more difficult road of truth through Jesus Christ.
I recommend this film, but be aware that there are some pretty intense scenes that may be a bit over the top for the very young.
He only changes his mind and keeps from sending his friend to his death when forced to—not from any noble or self motivated intentions. The heroine is heroic, brave, loyal—up to a point. She falls for Sinbad, and ends up leaving her prince fiance to cavort around the world with the pirates. We have a serious problem with this—she had an obligation between her fiance and herself, and the two countries they represented. She throws away duty and responsibility for “love”.
Too many movies these days encourage children and teens to act on their hormones and impulses—do what ever feels good or makes them happy—with no consequences or worries about the future… How will the future look for this heroine—the only woman on a ship of rowdy pirates, unmarried and out numbered? Are they going to continue being pirates, living off stealing from innocent victims? Or will they retire on the ill-gotten gains from previous robbing?
Perhaps we read too deeply into the issues—it is, after all, “only” a cartoon. But too many messages like this are bombarding our children. Give me a movie that portrays good as good and evil as evil—with consequences and rewards as appropriate. Better yet, show me redemption and evil seeing the light and becoming good.
[Average / 5]
1. Mild Language—several colourful phrases are used in this movie. While certainly not as bad as what can be heard driving down the freeway, I certainly wouldn’t want to hear my child imitating Sinbad’s choice phrases.
2. Mild Sexual Humour—sorry, but kids today aren’t stupid, and the sexual innuendo in this film is not going to sail over their heads. (example: #1.laughing at Sinbad, who’s pants have been torn and is now showing a very bare butt cheek. a bit much for a film geared towards children. #2 references to Mr. Sinbad’s “pickle and 2 onions” do I really need to explain that one?)
3. Infidelity—The romance that goes on between Marina and Sinbad is an adulturous one since Marina is engaged to be married to Sinbad’s best friend. Yes, its an arranged marriage that she doesn’t want to go through with, but still not the kind of message I’d want my child to hear.
So all in all, while I could sit back and watch this movie at 24 years old and enjoy it thoroughly, I think I might have been forced to walk out if I’d had a child with me.
[Better than Average / 3]
[Very Offensive / 3]
I am also disturbed by our hero Sinbad’s blatant disrespect for the woman who he fancies. Young women need to be taught not to attach themselves to men who don’t treat them as ladies-not run off with them when they are engaged to be married to another man! Sinbad runs off with the promised bride of his friend, Proteus (who has offered his own head in Sinbad’s place to give Sinbad a second chance). (I think we’re “supposed” to think it is okay because it is an arranged marriage.) There is also unnecessary violence-Sinbad’s solution to comments he doesn’t like from his mates is a punch to the face. This could easily have been a good (and wholesome) film, but Dreamworks needs to seriously review their standard of what is appropriate-especially for children!
[Better than Average / 3]
[Average / 5]
[Better than Average / 4]
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 3]