MovieChat Forums > The Prince of Egypt (1998) Discussion > PoE being underrated is one of the great...

PoE being underrated is one of the great crimes against American culture

posted 11 years ago by january2010
15 replies | jump to latest

Seriously, it is. The movie has everything that you'd look for in a classic:

- deep, relatable characters
- amazing story, a classic hero's journey arc (or the fall of a hero, from Ramases' point of view)
- amazing soundtrack
- jaw-dropping animation
- majestic background aesthetics

... and a masterly combination of all these things. I just watched it again in full after 5 years, and it gave me shivers multiple times.

The reason why this movie didn't do better in box office or in popular mindset is simple; people knew this was a story from the Bible, and there was a knee-jerk reaction against it. Many justifiably thought that it would be another lame-ass Christian movies with a preachy attitude. In particular, atheists, knowing that the Old Testament has a pretty serious ethics deficit from modern perspective, automatically applied that perception against this movie as well.

But to judge a work of art based on such externalities is never right. When you say a war movie is good, you are not endorsing the murder, you are endorsing how the film told the story in such a way that it touches you. If you trash a work of art not based on its aesthetics but based on what you THINK is its moral message, you are basically thinking the same way as censors in totalitarian regimes. The only difference is that those censors have the power to force their feelings on others; you don't.

And how can anyone say that the PoE's message is somehow 'hateful'? The way it told the story was ANYTHING but hateful (regardless of what the book of Exodus actually says). Name one instance where Moses in the PoE wanted any Egyptian to die, etc. If you think the PoE was hateful, I KNOW your bias is clouding your judgement.

What hurts me even more is that even if the PoE stands the test of time, it will never be established as an American classic. Modern mass culture ensures that it churns out a crapload of movies, cartoons, songs, literature and everything else, drowning masterpieces in the process. Not to mention marketing gimmicks and the political biases of the population which distorts what remains as a masterpiece.

In my opinion, this movie is better than the Lion King, and told the classic story of a hero-in-the-wilderness-rises-again story better. But North America will remember the Lion King as the defining masterpiece of the 90s animation, because studios will milk it more based on its greater commercial success, and because its message is more 'acceptable'. It's rather sad, really.

[–] mtman318 11 years ago

If I remember correctly, the Bible never has Moses wanting Egyptians to die either, though it's basically silent on any of the Israelite's reactions to the plagues.

The reason why this movie didn't do better in box office or in popular mindset is simple; people knew this was a story from the Bible, and there was a knee-jerk reaction against it.

Agreed. Though I think another group to blame is the Bible purists that automatically disliked the movie when anything was portrayed differently than how it was written. Of course, that happens when any movie based on a book comes out. Now if a movie has practically no semblance to the book, I can understand the outrage, but I thought the Prince of Egypt did a good job adapting the story to a modern film audience. (The worst though is when people say, "That's not how it happened in the Bible!", but then go on to quote something from DeMille's The Ten Commandments. *sigh*)

I'll be honest, though; I only saw this movie once not too long after it came out, and at the time I didn't think too much of it (I was only 11, so I guess I'll forgive myself). I basically forgot about it until I came across the Nostalgia Critic around the middle of last year. After I saw his videos that talked about the movie favorably, I figured I would check it out when I got the chance. Not too long after, I noticed that someone had posted the whole movie on YouTube (it has since been taken down). My reaction: "Huh. That IS a good movie!" A great movie, actually. Anyway, I hope that there are a lot of people like me who would love this movie, but have forgotten about it, or who have just never seen it yet. Then perhaps it can more fully get the recognition it deserves.

In my opinion, this movie is better than the Lion King, and told the classic story of a hero-in-the-wilderness-rises-again story better. But North America will remember the Lion King as the defining masterpiece of the 90s animation, because studios will milk it more based on its greater commercial success, and because its message is more 'acceptable'. It's rather sad, really.

I always thought the Lion King was overrated, though certainly good. For me, 90's Disney classics are Mulan and the Hunchback of Notre Dame (despite those insufferable gargoyles). And the Prince of Egypt is still the best of the bunch.

[–] january2010 11 years ago

It's good to know that there's someone like you out there who also appreciates this film.

Actually, there's a lot of us - there just aren't enough of us to give the PoE a credit that it deserves. And yes, the Lion King is overrated - nostalgia plays a powerful factor in how people remember it. It was good, just not THAT good.

[–] furienna 11 years ago

"Prince of Egypt" has a lot of fans, actually. Many people like it.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] JJdaPK 11 years ago

What? The Prince of Egypt was once of the highest grossing movies of 1998 and it played a large part in getting Dreamworks recognition (Their first film, Antz, was overshadowed by A Bug's Life). It won the Oscar for best song and got overall positive reception.

I think the reason you don't hear people talk about it much is because Dreamworks has kind of ignored their 2D films. While Disney constantly makes a big deal whenever they release their old movies. Also Disney movies are kept fresh in people's minds because they are onstantly being featured on Disney merchandise, the Disney Channel, and the characters from the movies are featured prominently in the Disneyworld parks.

[–] mtman318 11 years ago

I never thought of that before, but that's a good point. I don't think DreamWorks has any way of promoting outside of the movies themselves, besides "happy meal/cereal box" toys and commercials. They have no channels or amusement parks, etc, as far as I know.

Even if they did have those things, they would probably be devoted mostly (if not completely) to their 3D movies (as if I needed another reason to hate Shrek). Heck, I don't think any of their 2D movies have even had a Blu-ray release. Has DreamWorks ever re-released any of their movies in theater yet? I know there are several Disney movies that weren't too successful the first time, but then sold spectacularly 15 to 20 years later.

I guess Katzenberg himself is responsible for much of this, thanks to his "2D animation is dead" proclamation.

[–] flickfix 11 years ago

What? Christians make up the majority of the American population. Non-religious people make up about 10%, and are being frowned upon.

I think it has more to do with Christians don't like their bible stories being told in cartoon musicals.

[–] mtman318 11 years ago

Christians make up the majority of the American population. Non-religious people make up about 10%, and are being frowned upon.

My own wacky adventures throughout the internet tell me otherwise (especially on YouTube). Of course, commentators are an international population. And perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong places. Or perhaps most Christians and other religious folk avoid the internet like the plague. Or all of the above, and then some.

While I don't doubt that "non-religious" people are a minority, I think they are more than 10 percent of the US population.

[–] flickfix 11 years ago

Nope. It's 10%.

And what's worse is this. Survey asked who people will vote for President. They can check as many category as they want. Atheist came in last, at 10%, way below women, minority ethnics, homosexuals. And at 10% approval, it means almost all non-atheist have a distrust or even distaste for Atheist. Unlike say, at least a lot of straight people have no problem with homosexuals being their leader, men being okay with women being their leader, etc.

I think it has to do with people associating morals with religion. And they would think, well, if you were and Atheist, then, where's your moral compass? You must have therefore, be both amoral and immoral.

People tend to forget, anyone with no moral values, no one likes them. And caring for others feels great. It's that simple. No rules required.

But yes, a huge majority of people who goof around the internet space, are not religious.

[–] avia2 8 years ago

America must be a very different land... here in Europe our media and society are very suspicious of religious films/music.

Even in England which is technically a Christian state, something like PoE won't enjoy very long success.

British parents tend to avoid showing religious films but then they complain that Christianity is under threat from Muslims...

[–] Towelie_Towel (1733) 3 years ago

Nice joke.

[–] Szabu 11 years ago

I feel like this post was directed at me, lol. Unlike you assume I don't wish to censor this movie even if I could. But what I encourage is call out its... ehm, questionable aspects and not give it a free pass just because it's from the Bible and "part of our culture".

However I'm very much against marketing such a movie to children. Especially how they tried to hide the fact that this is based on the Exodus. It's like making a cartoon "about a painter with big dreams" and it turns out to be a biopic of you-kbow-who.

[–] avia2 8 years ago

However I'm very much against marketing such a movie to children. Especially how they tried to hide the fact that this is based on the Exodus.

I'm neither Christian nor Jewish but would rather my child watch this than some saccharine Pixar film.

[–] Concise_Statement 11 years ago

That was 1998's most undervalued and easily forgotten animated morality tale, thanks to being overwhelmed by the mediocrity of 'A Bug's Life'.

To be fair though, if we're talking any 1998 film, 'The Negotiator' was also magnificent and strangely ignored as well.

''This is the best bad idea we have, sir. By far.''

[–] uruseiranma 11 years ago

I wouldn't blame "A Bug's Life," per se. The American culture is often fickle when it comes to animation.

There have been plenty of examples of animation that is quite stirring or emotional, but the general populace won't go to it unless it's Disney, or is considered harmless for their children.

Katzenberg at the time seemed to be angling to repeat the Academy Award nomination that Beauty and the Beast had received in 1991 - how else to explain why he would make Dreamworks SKG's first animated feature such a heavy, dramatic feature?

Besides, I'm sure most Americans were thinking, "we already saw this made in the 50's. It was called "The Ten Commandments, and we didn't need you to remake it into some cartoon."

"Thanks, guys." "So long, partner."

- Toy Story 3 (9/10)

[–] ZakkWyldeMyLittlePony 9 years ago

You're 100% right. Szabu's an idiot.

RIP
Jeff Hanneman
1964-2013