neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas
	Tim Johnson and Patrick Gilmore Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Christine Baranski 2003		On two occasions, the fledgling DreamWorks animation unit has produced noteworthy features: "Shrek" and "Antz." Both films were computer-animated and sported smart, wry scripts. The studio hasn't fared as well with traditionally drawn cartoons: "Road to El Dorado" (clumsy), "Prince of Egypt" (pretentious) or "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" (slim, but best of the bunch). Now comes "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas," and it's no improvement. It leans on uninspired Disney-lite character designs, a clashing mix of 2-D animation (the drawn stuff) and computer-generated 3-D animation, anachronistic dialogue (mod references such as "sushi," meant to be humorous in an archaic setting) and a story that slaps together flimsy original concepts rather than classic elements of the Sinbad tales. The mattes of various locales are done with care, particularly a Maxfield Parrish dream of an ancient Greek city. The voice talent is premium: Brad Pitt as brave, ocean-going thief Sinbad, Catherine Zeta-Jones as love interest Marina, Michelle Pfeiffer as evil goddess Eris, Joseph Fiennes as noble Proteus and Dennis Haysbert as Sinbad's first mate Kale. But, in the end, "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" sinks.