26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Quality Direct-to-Video Feature!, November 10, 2000
Barring some scriptural inaccuracies (a disclaimer admits to the dramatic license taken), Joseph is a wonderful, inspiring version of the Biblical tale. The songs are decent for a video production, and some of them actually stand out quite well.
The majority of the story talks about Joseph's journey of faith and hope, and how he overcame hurdle after hurdle to properly share the gifts that God had given him.
A little light on the religious side, Joseph plays up the entertainment value of the story (as with most films). However, it never deviates from the fact that Joseph believes his ability to interpret dreams is a gift from God. Far too few films are willing to take this chance... Kudos to Dreamworks for a top notch production.
NOTE TO PARENTS: Though there is nothing outwardly objectionable, there is some serious subject matter that you may want to discuss with your children. :-)
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Biblical Story Well-Told And Animated In "King of Dreams.", December 29, 2000
This worthy companion piece to Dreamworks' "Prince of Egypt" retells the Biblical story of Joseph, his betrayal by his brothers, sale into slavery, imprisonment, then rise to prominence through God's gift of prophecy through dreams. The story is well-voiced by stars including Judith Light, Mark Hamill, and Ben Affleck as Joseph, despite some weak, Disneyfied songs (voiced by the normally reliable Maureen McGovern and Jodi "Ariel" Benson).
"Joseph"'s dream and flashback sequences are well-animated, with images of sunflowers, flowing wheatfields and flying eagles referencing Joseph's growth(in status and wisdom)in Egypt. This is notable where Joseph visions his brothers mocking him while cleaning a palace floor, then flashbacks to his youth while caring for a tree in his prison cell.
Like all great Biblical stories, "Joseph" works as love lesson (in forgiveness and personal growth here) and dramatic narrative, and is economically told on both accounts. The film accurately captures Joseph's contentious relationship with his old and new families; the story's dramatic parallels (his false imprisonment by and reproachment with Portiphar, then the suspenseful-turned-joyous reunion with his brothers where Joseph reveals his identity) are powerful. While some dramatic license was taken with the storyline, "Joseph" thankfully eschews Disney-esque asides, superflous fantasy characters or expanded romantic angles (Joseph's love and marriage to Asenath is simply part of the story).
"Joseph" was and remains among the Old Testament's most engrossing stories, particularly to families susceptible to sibling rivalry. Despite occassional melodramatic lapses, "Joseph" retains that core story and is an exceptional family film with much to teach its viewers. Recommended.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A delight, January 1, 2001
I usually don't buy direct-to-video sequels -- usually, they are inferior to the original product and only tarnish my enjoyment. However, "King of Dreams" is not a sequel, rather than a companion piece.
Delving once again into ancient history, this story tells of a "miracle child," the favorite son of old Jacob and his wife Rachel (the Biblical polygamy is delicately ignored, though hinted at in that Joseph is a half-brother). While Joseph's ten brothers toil in the fields, he is taught to read and write and is given a magnificently woven coat. When he has dreams that "mean something," his brothers' resentment starts to grow. He ends up enslaved in Egypt, where despite his talents and intelligence he falls further and further. But newfound humility and a special gift from God will bring him back up.
This movie has a beautiful piece of symbolism - the little fruit tree that Joseph carelessly steps on as he cries out to God, "Why?" Everyone in their lives is faced with a crisis in which it is asked why God is doing this to them. The single leaf that remains living on the shattered tree shows how his faith still exists, and that faith grows as he saves the tree and nurtures it to health. God is spoken of less, as Joseph is not convincing anyone of anything, but his presence is highly felt in the writing.
From a secular point of view, this is also a good cautionary tale. At the beginning, Joseph bounds past his brothers, singing, "I am special, I am smart! I am a miracle child!" and being coddled by his parents. Allowing himself to be arrogant is part of his downfall. Later on, he uses his gift and his intelligence to benefit everyone, and thus is rewarded.
The secondary characters are, like Ramses of PoE, multi-dimensional even if you are supposed to dislike them. As Joseph enjoys his special status, one can sympathize with his jealous brothers -- but the same spoiled boy will take your sympathy when his brothers taunt him and cruelly sell him. Potiphar is well-drawn -- a man who betrays his own honor and clearly suffers inwardly because of it, and his niece is an instantly sympathetic character is her urgings to forgive.
Though this film is acceptable for small kids, there are a few moments that will disturb them, such as when Potiphar's wife makes a (it's not obvious to the very young) pass at Joseph, and when he is dragged off while his brothers accept silver as payment for him.
The songs aren't quite as good as PoE, but the animation in its lesser glory is excellent. When Joseph is led into Egypt, one can definitely sympathize with his slack-jawed awe. Lesser details, such as Potiphar's servant's thoughts on Joseph's hygiene, are also present and very enjoyable. The dream sequences strike a good balance of otherworldliness and realism.
Okay, so this isn't quite up to the standards of "Prince of Egypt." There's a lesser budget, but it's a more personal, family story.
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