Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) - Animated, Adventure, Fantasy
Guaranteed hit for the whole family: intense action, superb music, and flawless hand-drawn animations will keep everyone hooked throughout. Great morals except for a slip that most kids won't notice
Plot Overview: "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" unfolds as the legendary sailor Sinbad finds himself framed for stealing the Book of Peace by Eris, the goddess of chaos. With his childhood friend Proteus sentenced to death in his place, Sinbad embarks on a quest not only to retrieve the book but also to clear his name, facing mythical creatures along the way and growing from a self-centered pirate to a selfless hero. It is loosely based on the Greek myth of Damon and Pythias, where one friend is wrongly accused of a crime and sentenced to death, while the other volunteers to take his place to give him a chance to prove his innocence.
Recommended for:
- Kids-only movie night: Yes
- Family movie night: Yes
- Grownups movie night: Yes
- Grownups only movie night: No
Sex/Nudity/Pornography: NONE. Sinbad and Marina share a kiss, but it's not central to the plot. In one scene, Sinbad's pants tear during a fight, exposing part of his buttock for a quick laugh. Another moment worth noting is the Sirens' scene, where seductive female figures attempt to pull the men underwater and kiss them to death, drowning them. Eris, the goddess of chaos, is portrayed with an attractive yet sinister presence, emphasizing the theme of temptation and that looks can be deceiving since not anyone who speaks nice to you wants what is best for you.
Violence/Fear/Gore/: NONE. Characters engage in extremely entertaining and well-animated fights but the violence is never graphic or bloody. Everyone will love these scenes, especially the boys. Near the end, a man is about to be beheaded, but the blade that is about to cut his head off shatters (twice). The scene of the sirens might scare younger kids.
Drinking/Drugs/Smoking: NONE. Wine is served during a banquet in the kingdom of Syracuse. No glorification, no abuse.
Cursing/Blasphemy: NONE. Words like “butt” and “friggin’” are used in comedic contexts. As Sinbad is telling a story, he says that the enemy had swords pointed at his throat, his chest, and his “pickles and eggs!” shouts a crewmate as he brings a bunch of them up from storage for food.
Virtuous Examples 4/5: The movie’s strongest points lie in its depiction of friendship, loyalty, and self-sacrifice. Proteus is the film’s moral anchor because he goes as far as offering his life in exchange for Sinbad’s, believing that his childhood friend will return with the Book of Peace as he says he will. This act of selflessness sparks Sinbad’s transformation from a self-centered pirate to a man willing to risk his life for others. Marina is courageous, intelligent, and stands up for herself, but she is however shown as the feminist ideal of not needing a man in marriage and instead wanting to go off and sail into the seven seas. It might be confusing how in the end she leaves to sail the seas with Sinbad, since this basically means that Sinbad stole Proteus’ girl even after the guy offered to die for him. This is unfortunately true and is a confusing element of the movie. The movie makes up for this by saying that Marina (as her name describes) always wanted to go to sea, and her marriage was being arranged. Most kids, especially the young ones, won’t think much about it, but for the older ones, this will feel wrong/odd and can be a good conversation starter.
Behind the Scenes: The original scriptwriter (Terry Rossio) was strongly against Sinbad stealing Marina from Proteus in the end, but the movie's producers insisted. These producers instead wanted to make her long for the seas instead of wanting to become a princess. Terry called this “The One Hundred Million Dollar Mistake” and wrote extensively defending his original and better script, but it was turned down. The result is a great movie, great graphics, unmatched music, but an average plot that leaves much to be desired, and a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth as Marina leaves with Sinbad. It is, however, while not having a perfect moral example; a guaranteed hit with the kids and for a family movie night. [Wordplayer](http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/wp47.100.Million.Mistake.html)
What the original script said was that the girl was never even named Marina, she was betrothed to Proteus and went with Sinbad to make sure he actually came back with the Book of Peace to avoid Proteus’ death. In the end, after Sinbad’s return and acquittal, Marina and Proteus would get married in Syracuse, and Sinbad would sail off into the sea again to continue his adventures. How this far better script was ever turned down, I don’t know.
Morality 4/5: The story shows how Sinbad goes from being a callous selfish pirate/robber to actually caring about his close friends and being willing to die for his best friend Proteus. Eris the goddess of Chaos constantly tempts Sinbad into taking the easy way out by embracing his pirate instincts, but Sinbad rises above her and proves that he is capable of honor, even when no one expects it from him. The film presents clear moral dilemmas: will Sinbad save his own skin or do the right thing and risk his life for his friend? It also touches on themes like the dangers of selfishness and the value of keeping one’s word. Despite his initial reluctance, Sinbad comes to understand that true freedom comes from doing what is difficult and right, not what is quick and easy.
Music 5/5: Composed by the world-famous Harry Gregson Williams, who did the superb soundtrack for The Chronicles of Narnia, as well as Shrek, The Martian, X-Men, Prometheus, and Prince of Persia. This movie’s music is unbelievably entertaining and captivating, making you believe that you’re right there on the ship with Sinbad fighting against the sea monster and exploring the seven seas. It’s a hidden gem; far better than the overwhelming majority of all movie scores (including grownup movies). You and your kids (especially the boys) will be humming the main theme for days after you finish watching it.
Conversation Starters:
- A lesson on Friendship: Who is the real hero in this movie? Is it Sinbad or Proteus? Who is more noble? Who is the perfect friend to the other? How did Proteus prove his friendship? How about Sinbad? Which was more difficult? Are we also willing to die on behalf of those that we love, like Proteus when he offered himself up instead of his friend, and as Sinbad did when he showed up to face the death penalty?
- A lesson on Temptation: Eris and the Sirens are attractive but evil, and lie to Sinbad and his men with their pleasing tone of voice and attractiveness, but in the end, they actually want to kill them. It’s important to know that looks can be deceiving and that seduction is extremely dangerous. What would’ve happened if Sinbad had fully trusted and done everything Eris wanted? What would’ve happened if he and his men just “went with the flow” and kissed the Sirens? Not anyone who looks nice or speaks nice to you wants what is best for you.Many times in your life you will be tempted; the only way out is to stay firm, draw the line, and get out of the situation because of how much you love your future spouse. “You are always a drink and a wink away from burning up your entire life”.
Quotes: "You don't have to be a prince to be a hero." - Sinbad
This quote reflects one of the key messages of the film: heroism is a simple choice, the choice to do what is right even when it is difficult. Sinbad, despite having been a terrible person in the past, changes the course of his life and proves that he can be a hero through his actions.
Conclusion: Perfect hand-drawn and computer animations, an unequaled film score that is far better than the majority of adult movies, captivating action, and strong moral lessons and examples make for a solid kid’s only or whole family movie night. Expect some questions at the end about Marina’s decision to sail into the sea with Sinbad, and about Proteus being a far better hero than Sinbad.
Final Rating: 9/10