Tag: sinbad

directed by Tim Johnson & Patrick Gilmore

Surprisingly, I’m starting this post telling you about another film: I’ve just seen “Nimona”, one of the animations nominated to Oscars this year. I’d love to write about it, but unfortunately I’m incredibly disappointed. The screenplay is messy, the introduction is unclear and way too short, the animation style is not my cup of tea, and I felt like the message they were trying to share within is actually too hidden in this fantasy world, which looks like a combination of several stories. So it’s a “no” from me. But, while I was watching, I couldn’t stop thinking about the two characters – there are two knights competing with each other. And I had this feeling as if I’d seen them somewhere else. At some point, a lightbulb over my head shone and I realised that the knights might be a cheap copy of Sinbad and Proteus, who are the characters of the film I’ve decided to recommend you today. If 2023 doesn’t give us quality animations, let’s get 20 years back, shall we? Sinbad is a pirate who does rather pirate kind of things – travelling and robbing, simple as that. His life seems peaceful, if being a thief can be considered peaceful, until he decides to steal the Book of Peace. It’s a magical book that protects the world, so if he manages to rob it, the authorities will pay all money possible to get it back. So, the plan is to grab the book, exchange it for lots of gold and spend the rest of the life in Fiji. Unfortunately, things get complicated. The pirate meets Eris, the Goddess of Discord, who offers to pay him even more than any human for the Book of Peace. Sinbad obviously agrees, but when he attempts to steal it, he changes his mind seeing his old friend Proteus, whose life would change drastically if that book went missing. So when the pirate gives up, Eris impersonates him and steals the book herself, but in the body of Sinbad, so now everyone blames him. When Sinbad is sentenced to death, Proteus tells him to find the book and if the pirate fails, Proteus volunteers to be killed for him. Will Sinbad ignore the fact that his childhood friend might die? Or perhaps he will save him? That’s for you to see. Watching those two knights from “Nimona” I just saw Sinbad and Proteus. In fact, they even looked the same… Call me a grumpy old cinephile, but I appreciate the old animation much more. It used to be one of my beloved films, because it’s adventurous, funny, exciting, surprising and moving, so while watching, you’re riding an impressive rollercoaster of emotions. Besides, Proteus’ fiancée Marina joins Sinbad’s crew and we get one of the coolest female characters. She’s such a badass, I swear! Not only she’s stubborn and brave, but also horribly smart and mentally strong. All characters in this film are well-written, but Marina is that cherry on top. When I was a child, the animation was just fun, but as an adult, I see much more in the story. To me, this film is not only about true friendship, but also about staying yourself. You may be a fair person no matter if you’re a prince or a pirate (although that may seem strange to read), so don’t let others tell you how to live – experience, learn, discover and then you’ll know. Could there be a better message to share with children? And that’s the kind of animations I miss the most. Feel free to see it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much.

My rating: 8/10
S.