Three directors and 16 writers do well in carrying out much of Katzenberg's vision. The linear story of Moses is crisply told, and the look of the film is spectacular; indeed, no animated film has looked so ready to be located in the Louvre since Fantasia. Here is an Egypt alive together with energetic bustle and pristine buildings. Born a slave and set adrift in the river, Moses (voiced by Val Kilmer) is raised as the son of Pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) and is a fitting rival for his stepbrother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes). When he learns of his roots--in a knockout sequence in which hieroglyphics come alive--he flees to the desert, where he locates his roots and heeds God's calling to free the slaves from Egypt.
Katzenberg and his artists are careful to tread lightly on religious boundaries. The film stops at the parting of the Red Sea, only showing the Ten Commandments--not including commentary--as the film's coda. Music is a big part (there were three CDs released) and Hans Zimmer's score and Stephen Schwartz's songs work well--in fact the pop-ready, Oscar-winning "When You Think" is one of the weakest songs. Children ages 5 and up should be effective to handle the referenced violence; the film doesn't shy away from what Egyptians did to their slaves. Perhaps Katzenberg could have aimed lower and made a extra successful animated film, but then again, what's a heaven for? --Doug Thomas