28 Years Later, This 90%-Rated Animation Is Still One of Dreamworks' Most Underrated Movies
It's a rare family animation that tackles serious topics without losing its visual appeal or heart.
More than a quarter century after its release, The Prince of Egypt remains a unique phenomenon in the history of DreamWorks Animation, perhaps even the most underrated.
While viewers associate the studio with ironic works like Shrek and Madagascar, The Prince of Egypt offered something radically different: an epic, serious, and deeply human drama.
What Is 'The Prince of Egypt' About?
The story begins with the desperate act of Yocheved, a slave woman who saves her newborn son from the Pharaoh's decree by sending him adrift in a reed basket on the Nile.
The infant is found and adopted by the Queen of Egypt, who names him Moses. Moses grows up in the palace's luxury, becoming inseparable from the heir to the throne, Rameses.
However, the prince's idyllic life is shattered when he accidentally discovers the truth about his origins and destiny: to free the Hebrews from centuries of slavery.
'The Prince of Egypt' Is a Thoughtful Adaptation of the Bible
From the outset, the movie's creators state that this is not a literal retelling, but rather a creative reimagining. It is precisely this "reimagining," however, that makes the story so powerful and accessible.
The Prince of Egypt doesn't hide the dark underpinnings of the plot from young viewers. The cruelty of slavery, the oppression of the system, and the tragic price of freedom are depicted with respect for the source material but through an artistic lens.
The most difficult moments are conveyed not through outright horror but through symbolic, almost painterly imagery, which enhances their emotional impact.
The crowning achievement of the script is the humanization of the key characters. Moses is presented not as a flawless prophet but as a doubting, hesitant man torn between his love for his brother and his duty to his people.
'The Prince of Egypt' Is a True Visual Feast With a Memorable Soundtrack
Inspired by a trip to Egypt, the artists developed a distinctive style combining the grandeur of ancient frescoes with the fluidity of traditional animation.
Some scenes are stylized to resemble Egyptian artwork, giving the narrative an epic, mythological scope. The Prince of Egypt was technically innovative, brilliantly integrating early 3D graphics into hand-drawn animation to create large-scale scenes.
The Hans Zimmer-composed music and songs are not just decorations, but full-fledged driving forces of the plot. They reveal the characters' inner worlds and set the emotional tone.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Prince of Egypt'?
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The Prince of Egypt has 79% from critics and 90% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.2/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Prince of Egypt scored 4.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Prince of Egypt'?
The Prince of Egypt is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.
