Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists (2000)

Those familiar with the Sinbad films of the late 20th century, featuring the Dynamation effects of Ray Harryhausen, will be dazzled by this newcomer. This first animated feature film by India-based Pentafour Software is also the first-ever full-length film to pioneer the complete use of 3-D motion capture technology. Motion capture uses infrared cameras to track the movements of live actors, which it then converts digitally into animated characters. The effect is a cartoon with a human look. Facial expressions are lifelike; gestures are fluid. Computer-generated scenes are rich in color, depth, and realism. The technology was used, in part, in the movie Titanic, yet its full potential is realized here in this fantasy-adventure tale based on the Arabian Nights character. On a beach near her palace, the beautiful and spirited Princess Serena discovers the shipwrecked Wizard Baraka. Unaware of his evil intentions, she leads him to the castle to meet her father, King Chandra. Under the guise of goodness, the wizard gives the king a potion that immediately allows Baraka to switch identities with the king. Possessing the king's appearance, Baraka throws Chandra into the dungeon with Serena as the only witness to the wicked masquerade. She escapes with one clue to save her father: she must search the ends of the earth for the Veil of Mists, where she can find an antidote to reverse the wizard's spell. Her accomplice is the legendary sailor, Sinbad, whose mercenary motive at the story's beginning ("I don't do damsels in distress," he says) eventually gives way to blossoming love. In the meantime, families will relish the shipwrecks, sword-fighting, and sea creatures. (Ages 4 and older.) --Lynn Gibson Amazon.com

Some Favorite Colors

Though the digital animation may look not so flashy as tchnology moves rapidly forward. Overall this is a nice little movie. The dialog is good the color and texture is sharp and clear. The music and action can be intriguing with some large scale backgroud shots that invoke a sense of wonder. It having been made by a non western animators goes far in explaining why it seems differnt from the usual Pixar animation style. February 3, 2006

Good story, odd

This is a movie that the family concensus seems to be that one viewing is enough. I think that most of us just felt that the art work has to wooden. I don't know if the technology isn't adequate yet, or if it was just this production that was inadequate. 3 Stars means that we felt the movie was GOOD, not GREAT or WOW! Some of the artwork was interesting, but the people weren't. ... June 22, 2003

Wouldn't you like to see a computer animated film?

"Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists" is unprecedented in it's 3D motion capture animation. An evil wizard Baraka puts King Akron under his curse, so Princess Serena goes to great lengths to find someone to help her travel to a faraway land to get the remedy. She is a strong character and joins Sinbad on the seafaring adventure on a pirate-like ship and she's there every step of the way. She's not helpless nor wanting everyone else to do everything for her. Some scenes are a little scary. I saw this in theaters (limited release), and I tried to buy this rare film soon because I enjoyed it.

I like this movie, and it shows that Disney isn't the only animation company in the world. I need more independent films like this. The graphics remind me of PlayStation 2, more specifically the game "Pirates: Legend of the Black Kat" because it's about a female pirate. It's a great alternative to Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within, which is too depressing, although Sinbad doesn't have as excellent graphics. It might not have the best story in the world, but it's good to watch Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists every once in a while. Get it if you like independent animation. May 18, 2002

sinbad beyond the veil of mists >> Spellbound movie

Not so long ago, the world of animation was dominated by Disney productions geared at either children or families. However, the dynamic of the animation world drastically changed as the 20th century wound down and the 21st began. Cinema is just one of many areas where technological advancements revolutionized production and art, and this is particularly evident with animated films. Whereas once, animated films were a far cry from "real life," now such films are beginning to push the limits of all that has come before them.

Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists offers just a taste of what the new and improved animated world has in store for us. This is the first full-length feature of its kind, a `3D motion capture' feature. Simply defined, motion capture is the taking of real actors and applying digitally-created motion to their animated likenesses, in essence `capturing' the likeness of real life.

The technique may be new, but the storyline of Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists is familiar territory, especially for animated features - in a kingdom far, far away lives Princess Serena (voice of Jennifer Hale) who must rescue her father, King Akron (voice of Leonard Nimoy) from the evil clutches of a mysterious man, Baraka, who has washed up on their shores. When Baraka enters the king's home, it is under false pretences, as he is tricking the King and his daughter who do not realize until it is too late. On her own for the first time, the princess enlists the help of the reluctant young (and of course strapping) Sinbad (voice of Brendan Fraser) to help her go to the end of the world - to the Veil of Mists - where all the answers to helping her father lie.

Although the plot is far from original, the 3D animation alone is worth watching. Most of the movie takes place on or beside the ocean, which is beautifully created, and perhaps the movie's strongest animation asset. The Veil of Mists is a real eye candy treat, coming complete with talking sea creatures and cooperative flying mushrooms.

One might wonder why - if the goal of the new animation is to make things as lifelike as possible - do they bother making animated features at all. Perhaps it is because ultimately the world of animation will go beyond what humans can do in live-action films, and as a result, only animation can fulfill the deepest desires and imaginations of movie fans both young and old.

One thing is for sure. With the onset of computer and DVD game mania, the animation boom is sure to reach a growing audience. Although technology will surely surpass Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists in short order, this movie will always have the distinction of being the first of its kind.
-Chetan March 10, 2002

I'm Open Minded

Hi I am 15 yrs old and I enjoyed this movie very much, and would not call it Expressionless Animation especially the way the hero held the heroine when he felt she was hurt. Or the way she refuses to let the spider kill Sinbad. Yes the animation is dazzling and the voices are nice, but what's even more refreshing is the way the characters look. I don't think this film should be critized just because it's not your so-called classic Disney Snow-white Cinderella type animation. July 3, 2001

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