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Product Description
From acclaimed director Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress) comes a wondrous new animation for the whole family to enjoy.
Once upon a time there were two children brought up by the same woman. Azur, the son of a nobleman, and Asmar, the son of the nanny who tells them many enchanting stories. Their favourite is about the Djinn fairy waiting to be rescued by an heroic prince.
One dark day fate cruelly separates them. Some years later Azur sets out to rescue the fairy only to be reunited with Asmar. And so begins the Princes' Quest - a fantastic adventure across magical, mythical lands and seas.
Once upon a time there were two children brought up by the same woman. Azur, the son of a nobleman, and Asmar, the son of the nanny who tells them many enchanting stories. Their favourite is about the Djinn fairy waiting to be rescued by an heroic prince.
One dark day fate cruelly separates them. Some years later Azur sets out to rescue the fairy only to be reunited with Asmar. And so begins the Princes' Quest - a fantastic adventure across magical, mythical lands and seas.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Monika
My husband picked this up at the grocery store the other day quite by chance without having heard of it, and our children haven't stopped watching it since.
It is an extraordinarily beautiful film in every way -- the visuals, the voices (we watch in the original French), the music, the story. The animation is exquisite. Colours are saturated and stunningly gorgeous, and there is much use of a richly patterned ground -- mosaic tiles, fields of flowers, tree trunks, a lion's mane... The drawing of the characters is very different from that in Hollywood animation, and so some viewers may need to adjust to it; I take issue with the previous reviewer who says that the 3D animation is "not that great" -- it is stylistically different, intentionally so. The animator is trying to achieve a different feeling and relationship between the viewer and the story; he is not trying to persuade the viewer that this is the real world, but rather, transports the viewer into a magical otherworldly realm. Figures are elongated, patterned grounds are flattened, but faces are delicately drawn and eyes are riveting.
The story is about the rivalry and love between two boys, brothers for all intents and purposes, and is elegantly told. This film is remarkable for the positive way in which it portrays the richness and beauty of Maghreb/North African culture.
This is a stunningly beautiful film for the whole family, and I am hard-pressed to think of a finer animated tale.
It is an extraordinarily beautiful film in every way -- the visuals, the voices (we watch in the original French), the music, the story. The animation is exquisite. Colours are saturated and stunningly gorgeous, and there is much use of a richly patterned ground -- mosaic tiles, fields of flowers, tree trunks, a lion's mane... The drawing of the characters is very different from that in Hollywood animation, and so some viewers may need to adjust to it; I take issue with the previous reviewer who says that the 3D animation is "not that great" -- it is stylistically different, intentionally so. The animator is trying to achieve a different feeling and relationship between the viewer and the story; he is not trying to persuade the viewer that this is the real world, but rather, transports the viewer into a magical otherworldly realm. Figures are elongated, patterned grounds are flattened, but faces are delicately drawn and eyes are riveting.
The story is about the rivalry and love between two boys, brothers for all intents and purposes, and is elegantly told. This film is remarkable for the positive way in which it portrays the richness and beauty of Maghreb/North African culture.
This is a stunningly beautiful film for the whole family, and I am hard-pressed to think of a finer animated tale.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Hair Bear
I saw reviews for this, but it never came to my cinema so I grabbed the DVD when it became available, and was totally bowled over by it. I'll get my gripe over first in that some of the 3D animation is not that great. The two fairies at the beginning of the film who cast a spell over the two children are not well done at all, and I nearly gave up there, but I'm glad I continued. If you can accept that you are not going to get Shrek levels of computer animation, then there is much more to amaze and enjoy. The standard of the backrounds is extraordinary - the opening scenes in Azur's home are like medieval illuminations with the most beautiful colours and attention to detail. Jenane's house is a most beautiful creation of tiles and gardens, and Princess Chamsous Sabah's palace has to be seen to be believed.
Characterisations are very good, and the women are particularly strong especially Jenane, and Princess Chamsous Sabah - she is a total delight and virtually steals the film.
Where the animation does work at is best is at the most traditional which plays to Michel Ocelot's strengths. Azur and Chamsous Sabah climbing a tree to watch the city at night is truly beautiful. The quest at the end is well done with a great lion and bird, and the whole story has a great moral lesson to teach, but not in a preachy way. Watch and be dazzled!!!
Characterisations are very good, and the women are particularly strong especially Jenane, and Princess Chamsous Sabah - she is a total delight and virtually steals the film.
Where the animation does work at is best is at the most traditional which plays to Michel Ocelot's strengths. Azur and Chamsous Sabah climbing a tree to watch the city at night is truly beautiful. The quest at the end is well done with a great lion and bird, and the whole story has a great moral lesson to teach, but not in a preachy way. Watch and be dazzled!!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Pheobe P
This film is beautiful. Bought it for my daughter originally (aged7) who was mesmerized. So good to find an 'original' children's film as well as one that opens up dicussion about identity, origins etc... As a dual heritage child my daughter was already very able to talk about and understand aspects of the story but I also bought it for her neices and nephews to broaden their horizons a little too. Best thing about this DVD though has got to be the fantastic images that stick in your mind-the musics really good too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Animated pleasure
Im not a fan of animation, as I find the constant movement distracts me from the characterisation and the story. In this case, the animation is simple and often still. Read more
Published 23 days ago by C. J. Tyler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful film
We saw it at the cinema and a very good DVD release. Well worth buying if you haven't seen the film; a film that will delight everyone, from young to old.
Published 3 months ago by G. M. Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful & thoughtful animation
This is a visually stunning animation fairytale with a positive message for about love, honour and loyalty, belonging, identity and living harmoniously together. Read more
Published 11 months ago by KH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compulsory watching to eradicate racism.
This film is not your average Disney's pink fluffy candy yet it is very magical. It is not only beautiful to watch but also has a powerful message. Read more
Published 20 months ago by SageM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Splendid
I bought this to use with my Year 4 class and it had them spellbound.The pictures were clear and the story a real traditional one that deals with many issues found in todays... Read more
Published on 13 April 2011 by Mrs B
4.0 out of 5 stars
Azur and Asmar - The Princes Quest [DVD] [2008]
An enchanting story about two little boys, one is looked after by his foreign nanny and the other is the nanny's own son. Read more
Published on 27 April 2010 by Robearing
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, intelligent children's film
Atmospheric, intelligent, great to watch. Mixed arabic and english, which my daughter loved. Most films she will watch once or twice. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by S. E. Kovbasyuk
2.0 out of 5 stars
Azur and Asmar
Fantastic film and just what I was looking for though it's a shame that the quality is not so good. There are variations in light contrast and flickers during the film.
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by Mrs. Janet Smajli
5.0 out of 5 stars
tale of poestry
tale of poestry to degreace race's prejudice: great for the education of children and a new mankind
Published on 21 May 2009 by Pierrot Patrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magic from a master director
As the very proud owner of Ocelot's Kirikou we approached a public showing of this,his latest project, with considerable anticipation. We were not disappointed. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2009 by D. Wallace-Lawrence
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