Arabian Knight MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2

ARABIAN KNIGHT is a classic fairy-tale animated feature. It all begins in the ancient city of Baghdad, where peace is about to be shattered. The Good King Nod finds himself betrayed by his evil sorcerer and advisor Zigzag (voice of Vincent Price). The magical balls of gold that protect the city have been stolen. An imminent invasion by an invincible war machine is on the horizon. Two tiny heroes emerge to save the city: a shy young cobbler, Tack (voice of Matthew Broderick) and King Nod's daughter, Princess Yum-Yum (voice of Jennifer Beals). Their adventure to recover the magical balls takes them through mazes of crazy staircases and to deserts guarded by dim-witted warriors. Ultimately they encounter weird witches, jewel-studded statues, an irrepressibly incompetent thief (voice of Jonathan Winters) and an animated army unlike any seen before. Unfortunately, this G-rated film is too sophisticated for young children and too boring for anyone over six years old.

Make no mistake ARABIAN KNIGHT is not a film for children in spite of its rating. Princess Yum-Yum is drawn with a voluptuous figure, as are Mighty One-Eye's evil warriors' women. One compromising scene includes the thief sneaking into Yum-Yum's bathroom while she is bathing. He proclaims joyously, A naked woman! Another time he makes references to not wearing underwear and uses crude language. This film is entirely too sexually suggestive for children. Even more disturbing is the amount of sorcery and violence. One-Eye's demon warriors shoot arrows into soldiers, and cruel ZigZag, who is eventually eaten by alligators, burns little birds' bottoms. He also casts spells and proclaims his ability to conjure demons, charm beasts and interpret the King's dreams. At first this film may seem to be simply a story about good versus evil, but it contains occult and New Age messages. Many times when ZigZag is present, a single or double rainbow appears. This seems to be a New Age symbol, signifying the building of the Rainbow Bridge between man and Lucifer, who New Agers say is the over-soul. Warriors bow and worship idols, people are stomped on and beaten, and evil is exploited as entertainment. These dark, evil elements make ARABIAN KNIGHT a frightening film not suitable for children.

Preview Reviewer: Sherry Oswald
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich, NY, NY 10013