Val Kilmer’s Overlooked Masterpiece in ‘The Prince of Egypt’

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Legendary character actor, Val Kilmer, departed this world on Tuesday evening at the age of 65, after facing difficulties due to pneumonia. Despite not quite reaching the A-list, he was consistently a captivating presence on screen, excelling in both comedic and dramatic roles. His breakthrough came in 1984 with his lead role in the side-splitting comedy “Top Secret”. He earned critical acclaim for his supporting performances in “Willow” and “Top Gun”, revisiting the latter character in “Top Gun: Maverick” over three decades later.

Prior to his stellar performances as the mysterious Jim Morrison in “The Doors” and the comical straight-man character in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, he also had a brief stint as Batman. Sadly, he became less active in films towards the end of his life following a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2015, which affected his speaking abilities. Despite these challenges, he still managed to amass an exceptionally impressive filmography that was marked by his dedication to every role. Remarkably, one of his lesser-known but truly remarkable works can be found in “The Prince of Egypt“, a nearly forgotten animated masterpiece from 1998.

‘The Prince of Egypt’ Is an Unsung Gem

Three years before DreamWorks Animation gained widespread recognition with Shrek in 2001, they initially caught the public’s attention through The Prince of Egypt in 1998. Co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg had long harbored a desire to create an animated adaptation of The Ten Commandments, aiming to portray the biblical story of Moses as recounted in the Book of Exodus. However, it wasn’t until his departure from Disney in 1994 that he gained the creative freedom necessary for this project to come to fruition.

At a particular moment, the movie titled “The Prince of Egypt” was considered one of the most daring 2D animated productions. Although DreamWorks’ success story began with “Shrek”, for quite some time, “The Prince of Egypt” held the title as the highest-earning traditionally animated film outside Disney’s realm, until “The Simpsons Movie” took over in 2007.

Previously stated, this movie primarily narrates the life of Moses, but it’s not all serious; it includes peculiar supporting characters and melodic interludes intended for children. However, contrary to its child-oriented aspects, this animated film could potentially captivate adults too. In the storyline, we find Prince Moses (Kilmer) experiencing a rift with his brother Ramses (Ralph Fiennes), when he discovers his heritage and his destiny to guide the Hebrews out of Egypt.

This journey turns out to be surprisingly moving because it showcases an undercurrent of sadness as Moses and Ramses, who have been close friends for much of their lives, find themselves being torn apart due to their destined roles. Neither wishes harm upon the other, but their paths – one as a prophet and the other as a pharaoh – lead them down separate paths. The visuals throughout are truly awe-inspiring, with the parting of the Red Sea in the climax being particularly stunning, standing out even among other visually impressive moments in traditionally animated films.

‘The Prince of Egypt’ Doesn’t Work Without Val Kilmer

The material for “The Prince of Egypt” is firmly established and robust in its base. The script moves at a good pace, keeping both children and adults engaged, and it’s unusual for a religious film to avoid coming off as overly didactic or patronizing. Although, much like other DreamWorks Animation productions, the abundance of famous voice actors (such as Jeff Goldblum, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Stewart) can be somewhat noticeable, they all deliver solid performances. Notably, Ralph Fiennes shines and convincingly portrays Ramses’ arrogance and internal struggle between fighting against a former brother while possessing an unexpectedly powerful singing voice.

In essence, The Prince of Egypt heavily relies on Moses, portrayed superbly by Val Kilmer. Unlike Fiennes who sings himself, Kilmer’s voice acting is exceptional and matches his veteran co-star. Throughout the movie, we see a remarkable change in Moses from a spoiled prince unaware of his roots to a prophet ready to give up everything for his people. If Kilmer hadn’t performed well, the film wouldn’t have been successful, but he certainly exceeded expectations.

Kilmer’s acting significantly elevates “The Prince of Egypt” above typical faith-based films, as the narrative primarily focuses on Moses grappling with the intersection of his human emotions and divine mission. Unlike other religious films, it neither debates God’s existence nor promotes doctrine; instead, it delves into the struggle of a man torn between upholding his humanity and fulfilling his divine destiny. This internal conflict is poignantly portrayed as Moses reluctantly carries out God’s command to inflict the Ten Plagues upon Egypt, a task that evokes sympathy because we witness his deep-seated reluctance to cause such destruction among his kin.

In essence, The Prince of Egypt is often overlooked as one of the greatest animated films from recent times, truly a peak for DreamWorks Animation. Val Kilmer, who has been underappreciated, brought astonishing humanity and elegance to even the most famous biblical characters in this movie.

By the way, if you’re interested, The Prince of Egypt is now available for streaming on Peacock.

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2025-04-06 17:02