Susan Granger’s review of “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” (DreamWorks)
“I pull one tiny thread and the whole world unravels into chaos. Let the games begin!” chortles the wickedly mischievous, sultry Goddess Eris (Michelle Pfeiffer). And so begins this animated Arabian Nights-meets-the Greek fable of Damon & Pythius. Sinbad (Brad Pitt) is a swash-buckling pirate who covets the most precious object in the world: The Book of Peace. He’s about to swipe it when he discovers a childhood friend, Prince Proteus (Joseph Fiennes), has guaranteed its safe delivery to Syracuse. Sinbad’s a rogue but – to his dismay – he has some scruples so he passes up the opportunity. Loving to stir up trouble, the villainous Eris, disguised as Sinbad, steals the precious Book. When Sinbad is blamed and sentenced to die, noble Proteus offers to take his place so Sinbad can retrieve the sacred text before the scheduled execution. But when Sinbad sets sail for Tartarus, Eris’ domain, he finds a stowaway, Proteus’ feisty fiancee Marina (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who’s eager for adventure. Written by John Logan and directed by Tim Johnson and Patrick Gilmore, there are several really exciting sequences as they battle Eris’ “pets”: a sea monster, waves of sand, and Roc, a huge snowbird – all inspired by constellations from the night sky. And after being told, “A ship is no place for a woman,” it’s brave Marina who steers Sinbad and his besotted crew away from the watery, seductive Sirens. Inevitably, romantic sparks fly as Sinbad and Marina engage in battle-of-the-sexes banter. Combining atmospheric CGI backgrounds with superbly hand-drawn figures, the animation is breath-taking. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” is a free-wheeling, fun-filled, eye-popping 8. Set sail for a summer adventure!
