Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

2003

Directed By: Tim Johnson; Patrick Gilmore

Screenplay By: John Logan

Starring: Brad Pitt; Catherine Zeta-Jones; Michelle Pfeiffer; Joseph Fiennes; Dennis Haysbert

Based On: The character of "Sinbad the Sailor"; a story-cycle of Middle-Eastern Origin

"Sinbad the Sailor" is a fictional sailor and the hero of numerous stories and legends, originating from Middle Eastern culture, and associated with the story collection, A Thousand and One (Arabian) Nights. His character lives in Baghdad, embarking on voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, and his fantastic adventures lead him to magical places, where he encounters monsters and supernatural phenomena. His literary character debut dates to 1637, when he first appeared in a Turkish collection of A Thousand and One (Arabian) Nights.

In this animated depiction of one of the "Sinbad" tales, our hero pirate attempts to steal an artifact from his childhood best friend; however, Sinbad's old cohort asks him on his honor to forgo the robbery, because the state of his city depends on the artifact reaching its shores safely. Sinbad coyly agrees but calculates a plan to steal the artifact anyway, because after all, he is a pirate. Before his second attempt to steal the artifact, he is captured by an undersea goddess who manipulates him into attempting the robbery for her. When the time arrives for Sinbad to steal the artifact, he relents and softens, remembering his promise to his old friend. The undersea goddess anticipates this act of conscience and, transforming into Sinbad's form, steals the artifact. Sinbad is sentenced to death, but swears he did not steal the book. His old friend believes him and gives him a chance to prove his innocence...and the adventure begins...

Finding Nemo's astronomical success outshined this well-produced and crafted animated film, as well as other milder successes the same year such as Brother Bear, and The Jungle Book 2. Providing a solid and well-written plot, this film boasts witty and smart dialogue and situations, a logical sequence of events, and valuable messages concerning themes such as: how past actions can dictate future reputations, how loyalty and your word of promise might allow reprieve but your actions still control your character, and how people are not evil or good, but a hybrid of choices and responses to challenges.

Personally, I'm a sucker for themes based around "loyalty"; everyone desires that undeniably loyal person in their life, the one who will still shout your innocence even though they enter as the bloody knife falls from your hand, landing on the floor next to the body; however, this film achieves an enjoyable emotional level without elapsing into a melodramatic, moralistic tale.

NOTE: Catherine Zeta-Jones voicing Sinbad's love interest doesn't hurt this film's allure either; her voice is pure music.