MOVIE REVIEW : Fanciful ‘Arabian Knight’ Has Kid, Parent Appeal

“Arabian Knight” is a charmer for children but is a bit too simple a tale to hold adult attention. However, parents who go with their kids cannot fail to be blown away by the sheer beauty and sophistication of the film’s fanciful, exotic design. Among those lending their voices to fine effect are Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Beals, the late Vincent Price, Jonathan Winters and Clive Revill.

You can believe that Oscar-winning writer-director-animator Richard Williams spent decades on this project; you can also believe that this is not quite the version of the film that Williams, the man who gave life to Roger Rabbit, wanted us to see, since he left the project before it was completed, apparently over the usual “creative differences.” (Miramax did not screen the film in advance for critics.)

Possibly, Williams intended more story. As it is, it’s about how a feckless but persistent Thief (Winters) and a young cobbler, Tack (Broderick), are swept up in an adventure in which they and Baghdad’s beautiful but heretofore bored Princess Yum Yum (Beals) strive to retrieve the three golden balls that protect the city-kingdom from evil.

*

Their adversaries are ZigZag (Price), the wicked grand vizier to the king (Revill) and a thundering horde of one-eyed warriors.

Along the way there’s considerable incident, some wit and humor and some pleasant songs. The vocal talents are first-rate, with a special nod to the late Price, who gives his inimitable sly, sinister twists to such phrases as “Have no fear/Your grand vizier is here.”

The characters are gracefully drawn with a light touch, but the big news is the film’s extraordinary backgrounds. Williams took his inspiration from the paradoxical paintings of M.C. Escher, which results in all manner of visual trickery and forced perspective to give “Arabian Knight” its unique effect. Williams’ key team--art director Roy Naisbett, the late master animator Ken Harris (one of Bugs Bunny’s creators)--and background stylist Errol Le Cain have called it “2 1/2 dimensions.”

They also came up with the most intricate and detailed of Rube Goldberg-like weapons and devices. As background stylist, LeCain took as his inspiration exquisite Persian miniatures, emulating their fairy-tale look with meticulous fidelity. If “Arabian Knight” is less than enchanting an entertainment for an adult, it certainly looks enchanting.

* MPAA rating: G. Times guidelines: The film is appropriate for all ages.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

‘Arabian Knight’

ZigZag: Voice of Vincent Price

Tack, the Cobbler: Voice of Matthew Broderick

Princess Yum Yum: Voice of Jennifer Beals

Thief: Voice of Jonathan Winters

A Miramax Family Films release of an Allied Filmmakers presentation. Director Jeff Pollack. Producers Imogen Sutton, Richard Williams. Executive producer Jake Eberts. Screenplay by Williams & Margaret French. Cinematographer John Leatherbarrow. Score Robert Folk; song Folk & Norman Gimbel. Art director Roy Naisbett. Master animator Ken Harris. Background stylist Errol Le Cain. Running time: 1 hour, 12 minutes.

* In general release throughout Southern California.