Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas Review

Who cares that "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" mixes up its mythology, totally ignores its hero's Arab origins or has a plot line even less substantial than its 2D animated characters? It's such a relentless and thrilling ride that you almost don't notice. Voiced by Brad Pitt, the titular legend of the seven seas is a notorious thief out to make a quick buck and retire to Fiji with his spoils until, that is, he has the misfortune to run into Eris, the goddess of chaos, who frames him for stealing one of the world's most priceless and powerful treasures: the Book of Peace. Given one chance to find and return the precious book - or his friend Proteus will die - Sinbad sets sail only to find his friend's sweetheart Marina, has stowed away on his ship to ensure he doesn't renege on his promise. But as they depart for the land of Tartarus at the edge of the world, the pair haven't reckoned for Eris' plans as she dispatches both monstrous creatures and every element under the sun to waylay their vital journey.

What it lacks in animated sophistication, "Sinbad" makes up for with sheer energy. OK, the angular two-dimensional - and very Disney - effects aren't quite as impressive as the computer animated complexity of "Shrek" or "Monsters Inc" but the action surely is. Making Neo and friends look positively lazy, Sinbad and co joust with the help of lightning-quick high-kicks, gravity-less leaps and a general air of swashbuckling that would make Errol Flynn go pale with envy. And the girl's aren't bad too. Catherina Zeta-Jones's Marina is a more than capable tomboy who quickly has every member of Sinbad's crew wrapped around her graceful little finger. But it would all be only passable if it were not for the film's truly awe-inspiring visual moments: Sinbad's arrival at the end of the world and the surreal wastelands of Tartarus to name but a few. Packed with enough humour, breathtaking action and moral uprightedness to make any kid beam with delight, this is a must for the holidays.