Today’s quick review: Joseph: King of Dreams. Ever since his miraculous birth, Joseph (Ben Affleck) has been the favorite of his father Jacob (Richard Herd). His brothers, led by Judah (Mark Hamill), grow jealous of his treatment and sell him into slavery. Taken to Egypt, Joseph toils for years as a slave until his ability to interpret dreams earns him an audience with the Pharaoh (Richard McGonagle).
Joseph: King of Dreams is a family animated musical drama based on the tale from the Bible. The story follows Joseph, a man with a glorious destiny, as he works to overcome his brothers’ betrayal. Joseph: King of Dreams is a straightforward adaptation of its source material, drawing its strength from the reversals the story contains and the way it humanizes its characters. However, it’s missing some of the qualities it needs to stand out.
The main shortcoming of Joseph: King of Dreams is its pacing. Out of necessity, the story skips past large portions of Joseph’s life, relying on a few brief scenes and montages to convey his childhood, his years as a slave, and what comes after. The format works well enough for the subject matter, but it still leaves the story feeling something like a summary. The story also lacks any subplots or embellishments, making it a linear progression.
The rest of the movie is serviceable but not outstanding. The art style is realistic with a few quirks, such as painting-like dream sequences. The characters are drawn in broad strokes, but they manage to capture human emotions like jealousy and regret. The songs are pleasant but not memorable. They serve more as literal descriptions of the situation that help bridge time jumps rather than the artistic flights of fancy seen in other musicals.
Overall, Joseph: King of Dreams is a decent family movie that conveys everything it needs to about its subject matter but lacks the artistic vision to go further. How much you get out of it will depend on your taste in stories and musicals. Fans of either biblical retellings or grounded musicals will find something to like. Viewers looking for something with more entertainment value may want to look elsewhere.
For a more elaborate animated adaptation of a tale from the Bible, check out The Prince of Egypt.
[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264734/). I give it the same for an iconic story with few frills.