Customer Reviews

Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Expressionless "animation." Lighting effects which would best be described as pallid. Modeling and character design straight out of a bad Dreamcast or Playstation 2 game. A screenplay that is, by turns, smarmy, banal and insensible. Avoid at all costs, unless you want to have nightmares about opalescent polygonal sprites with dead eyes and rigor mortis posture spouting inane faux-saucy dialog.

Not so long ago, the world of animation was dominated by Disney productions geared at either children or families. However, the dynamic of the animation world drastically changed as the 20th century wound down and the 21st began. Cinema is just one of many areas where technological advancements revolutionized production and art, and this is particularly evident with animated films. Whereas once, animated films were a far cry from "real life," now such films are beginning to push the limits of all that has come before them.

Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists offers just a taste of what the new and improved animated world has in store for us. This is the first full-length feature of its kind, a `3D motion capture' feature. Simply defined, motion capture is the taking of real actors and applying digitally-created motion to their animated likenesses, in essence `capturing' the likeness of real life.

The technique may be new, but the storyline of Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists is familiar territory, especially for animated features - in a kingdom far, far away lives Princess Serena (voice of Jennifer Hale) who must rescue her father, King Akron (voice of Leonard Nimoy) from the evil clutches of a mysterious man, Baraka, who has washed up on their shores. When Baraka enters the king's home, it is under false pretences, as he is tricking the King and his daughter who do not realize until it is too late. On her own for the first time, the princess enlists the help of the reluctant young (and of course strapping) Sinbad (voice of Brendan Fraser) to help her go to the end of the world - to the Veil of Mists - where all the answers to helping her father lie.

Although the plot is far from original, the 3D animation alone is worth watching. Most of the movie takes place on or beside the ocean, which is beautifully created, and perhaps the movie's strongest animation asset. The Veil of Mists is a real eye candy treat, coming complete with talking sea creatures and cooperative flying mushrooms.

One might wonder why - if the goal of the new animation is to make things as lifelike as possible - do they bother making animated features at all. Perhaps it is because ultimately the world of animation will go beyond what humans can do in live-action films, and as a result, only animation can fulfill the deepest desires and imaginations of movie fans both young and old.

One thing is for sure. With the onset of computer and DVD game mania, the animation boom is sure to reach a growing audience. Although technology will surely surpass Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists in short order, this movie will always have the distinction of being the first of its kind.
-Chetan

Though the digital animation may look not so flashy as tchnology moves rapidly forward. Overall this is a nice little movie. The dialog is good the color and texture is sharp and clear. The music and action can be intriguing with some large scale backgroud shots that invoke a sense of wonder. It having been made by a non western animators goes far in explaining why it seems differnt from the usual Pixar animation style.

"Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists" is unprecedented in it's 3D motion capture animation. An evil wizard Baraka puts King Akron under his curse, so Princess Serena goes to great lengths to find someone to help her travel to a faraway land to get the remedy. She is a strong character and joins Sinbad on the seafaring adventure on a pirate-like ship and she's there every step of the way. She's not helpless nor wanting everyone else to do everything for her. Some scenes are a little scary. I saw this in theaters (limited release), and I tried to buy this rare film soon because I enjoyed it.

I like this movie, and it shows that Disney isn't the only animation company in the world. I need more independent films like this. The graphics remind me of PlayStation 2, more specifically the game "Pirates: Legend of the Black Kat" because it's about a female pirate. It's a great alternative to Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within, which is too depressing, although Sinbad doesn't have as excellent graphics. It might not have the best story in the world, but it's good to watch Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists every once in a while. Get it if you like independent animation.

Words can not describe how sad this movie is. It gives computer animation a bad name. Shown on USA Network last week it was hard to make it all the way through. I only did because I had been told how bad it was and had to see it for myself. Don't waste your money.

This is a movie that the family concensus seems to be that one viewing is enough. I think that most of us just felt that the art work has to wooden. I don't know if the technology isn't adequate yet, or if it was just this production that was inadequate. 3 Stars means that we felt the movie was GOOD, not GREAT or WOW! Some of the artwork was interesting, but the people weren't. ...

Hi I am 15 yrs old and I enjoyed this movie very much, and would not call it Expressionless Animation especially the way the hero held the heroine when he felt she was hurt. Or the way she refuses to let the spider kill Sinbad. Yes the animation is dazzling and the voices are nice, but what's even more refreshing is the way the characters look. I don't think this film should be critized just because it's not your so-called classic Disney Snow-white Cinderella type animation.

Im a HUGE fan of the animation medium, so maybe Im biased when an animated movie comes out that doesnt necessarily follow mainstream expectations for animation. Sinbad pulls all the qualities together of what makes a good film, and avoids all the looming negative qualities that so often plauge animated films. However despite some dazzling animation and great character voices, something about it just doesnt quite hit my standard for a great animated film. Good, but just not quite perfect. Still, bears repeated viewing and if you even only remotely enjoy animation, get it.