Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Dreamworks’ animated adventure based on the exploits of the swashbuckling pirate is a visually exhilarating mix of hand-drawn and computer-generated images that sets sail with a rather mediocre and clichéd script. Sinbad is a self-important thief who is framed by Eris, the goddess of chaos, for stealing the magical Book of Peace that keeps everyone safe. He is spared execution by Prince Proteus if he can retrieve the book from the end of the Earth and restore harmony to the planet. The Prince’s girlfriend sneaks aboard the morally suspect Sinbad’s ship to ensure that he does not stray from his mission in uncharted seas populated by such obstacles as the seductive Sirens and a gigantic, very aggressive bird. Along the way, our hero of the title learns about social responsibility, generosity, friendship and loyalty. A brief shot of Sinbad’s bare butt and some sensuality account for the PG rating. The character voices provided by Brad Pitt, Joseph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dennis Haysbert and Catherine Zeta-Jones are more memorable for their star power than their sense of drama or amusement.