Joseph: King of Dreams

Sensibly released during the Christmas and Hanukah exchanging of gifts, “Joseph: King of Dreams,” released in 2000, undeniably will be on the shelves forever. The first direct-to-video animated movie from DreamWorks, this is a follow-up – or, if you like to call, a prequel – to the other Bible animated masterpiece, “Prince of Egypt.” Joe Leydon stated in his review, “Unlike many similar small-screen sequels from Disney, however, “King of Dreams” has just as much cross-generational appeal as its predecessor, and doesn’t make the mistake of skewing primarily toward moppets.” In other words: This is family entertainment in the best meaning of the word, for many families will be ultimately thankful.

Leydon stated, “Fancifully embellishing Biblical narrative, “King of Dreams” takes a respectful but hardly reverential approach to dramatizing events described in the Book of Genesis. (To preempt possible criticism, pic begins by acknowledging “artistic and historic license has been taken.”)”

At the time according to screenwriters Eugenia Bostwick-Singer, Raymond Singer, Joe Stillman and Marshall Goldberg, Joseph (Ben Affleck), the favorite son of Judah (Mark Hamill) is sold into slavery by his jealous half-brothers (Tom Virtue, Steven Weber, Jeff Bennett, Jess Harnell (who also voiced Wakko from "Animaniacs") and Matt Levin), and taken from the fertile mountain of Canaan to faraway Egypt.

Sold to Potiphar (James Eckhouse), captain of the Pharaoh’s (Richard McGonagle) guard, Joseph proves to be a hard-working and capable servant. Unfortunately, Joseph also gets an eye from Zuleika, voiced by Judith Light, Potiphar’s skinny wife. When he refuses her romantic offers, she lies that results in putting him in jail. Joseph does survive – and succeed – through his truly tested belief in God, and his innate ability to interpret dreams.

Leydon said, “Although “King of Dreams” largely downplays the religious elements that loomed so large in “Prince of Egypt,” the vidpic stops far short of secularism. Indeed, the best of the songs by John Bucchino, “Better Than I” and “What Road Lies at Your Feet,” are unabashedly soaring anthems that accept and celebrate the divine. Both tunes have potential to become standards for both mainstream entertainers and Christian music performing artists.”

Directors Robert Ramirez and Rob LaDuca effortlessly combine a variety of animation styles, running the scale from Vincent Van Gogh-influenced dream scenes to computer-generated graphics in a pretentious nightmare.

Leydon credits, “Among the well-cast vocal talents, Ben Affleck makes a thoroughly persuasive and aptly compelling transition from feckless youth to wise adult as Joseph, while Jodi Benson (of “Little Mermaid” fame) hits the right notes of girlishness and seriousness as Asenath, Joseph’s eventual wife, who encourages her husband to forgive the trespasses of his half-brothers.”

Leydon goes on to say, “Chief among the extra features offered in the DVD edition of “Joseph: King of Dreams” is an “outtakes” section that will be of interest to movie buffs and animation aficionados who might wonder how pics evolve from the drawing-board stage.”

Leydon continues, “Co-directors provide storyboard illustrations and interesting commentary as they explain why they plotted, then discarded, a seriocomic depiction of the newly enslaved Joseph’s arrival in Egypt.” Ramirez and LaDuca picked a more serious way, heavily enhancing the final product of the scene that appears in the completed movie.

In the end, if you liked “Prince of Egypt,” then you should check this one out as well. I know this is a direct-to-video film, but it’s still a good one to see. It’s short, straight to the point, and actually tells the story in a quick, straightforward way. There is not filler but does add a lot of the major points that were in the Bible. Definitely see this one if you haven’t, I say it’s worth a watch.

Thank you for joining in on my second entry of “Religious Epic Month.” Stay tuned tomorrow for a review on two films that are equivalent to the James Bond series that I'm really looking forward to seeing.