This document is a 1023-word compare and contrast essay analyzing the animated films The Prince of Egypt and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. The essay discusses how the films differ in their story development, settings, use of technology, and main focuses. The Prince of Egypt draws from the Bible and is set in ancient Egypt, while Atlantis is based on the mythical lost city and is set in that imaginative world. The Prince of Egypt reflects the Bronze Age through its tools, while Atlantis shows more advanced machinery. The former focuses on Moses freeing his people, while the latter centers on exploring and preserving Atlantis. In conclusion, while both are unique animated films, they have distinct identities through these differences.

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: Lim Woo Leon
STUDENT ID NO: 0322180
FILMS SELECTED: The Prince ofEgypt versus Atlantis: The Lost Empire
WORD COUNT: 1023
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA
SUBMISSIONDATE: 28TH
SEPTEMBER2015

2. The Prince of Egypt versus Atlantis: The Lost Empire
According to Box Office Mojo (2015), ‘The Prince of Egypt’ and ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ top
the movie box office charts in the late 20th
and early 21st
century. They were one of the films who
expedited the popularity of ‘DreamWorks Animation’ and also ‘Disney’. These animated films bring
forth an atmosphere, themed legends and truths which makes it whimsical but melancholic at the
same time. Besides, it made many children fall in love with its amazing graphics aside from its
fascinating story. As such, what are the unique differences that make them special? Well through
thorough analysis, it comes down to its development, the time and setting, the use of technology
and theirmainfocusthroughoutthe movie.
The development of each story differs depending on its plot and purpose. In ‘The Prince of
Egypt’, its development was based on Christianity. Colleen Morgan (2012) stated that it applied the
content within the Book of Exodus or The Old Testaments which is biblical yet inspiring where the
stories were quite intriguing. Therefore, the animators and directors picked the only story where
most of us are familiar of, which is when Moses freed his people from the evil pharaoh. However, in
‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’, the story was developed through beliefs and myth from the past where
many would either believe it was true or it was just a mere legend. In my opinion, the writers and
animators may be intrigued by the idea of recreating the world of Atlantis to answer the questions –
What if Atlantis is real? What if it really sank to the bottom of the ocean when the great flood
engulfed Atlantis? Whether it is true or fake, it pleased the audience by making their long term
suspense intoanimaginative reality.
We can now look into its setting and timeline where these are also its unique differences to
consider. Well, according to Paul Kerensa (2006) the two films were set in two different timelines
and settings, the first in ancient Egypt which is a real setting and in the 20th
century which is in an
imaginative setting. From ‘The Prince of Egypt’ its setting is set in a dry and humid desert where it
successfully invoked emotional feelings throughout the movie. For example, the scenery chosen was
The Great Nile where it provided a feeling of warmth and chill at the same time where people
journeying their lives revolving around it. In addition, it also instilled a perspective view of the Valley
of the Kings where many great monuments and cities built below. This view however triggers a
sense of luxury and royalty where people can get a rough idea of what itis like to be in a place full of
royalties and richness in ancient Egypt. In ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’, the setting itself was beyond
imaginable, where Atlantis contradicts the real world in the 20th
century. Atlantis existed
monuments embellished with ornaments, which are whimsical yet enchanting. Moreover, it is more
lavish than the setting in ‘The Prince of Egypt’ where there are bright and vivid colours subjugating
the whole of Atlantis.

3. Technology is also a major difference which divides both films into the Bronze Age and the
modern machinery age. These ages clearly define their nature as in ‘The Prince of Egypt’, the use of
wood and bronze weaponry, agricultural and construction tools reflect the characters being modest
and loyal and it conjures the fact that its superior entity is dominant yet powerful. However in
‘Atlantis: The Lost empire’, machineries are the major part of the story and it is important as its plot
itself. For example, the machinery used throughout the movie is huge in scale and it is also a tool
that influences the ending of the movie. Even in the world of Atlantis itself, the complexity of its
machineries and contraptions is far beyond our expectations as it defies gravity and speed. It clearly
showsthat Atlantis isanadvance humanrace provenfromtheirtechnologies.
Besides technology, the sole focus on the movie itself is also a primary role which shows
contrast between the two animated films. These can be proven based on the main character by
asking what is the role of the main character in the film and how does it show relation to the entire
story. In ‘The Prince of Egypt’, the focus of the whole story is about seeking freedom and liberty
through hardships. These can be portrayed by the main character, Moses where he frees his people
from his own stepbrother who enslaves them (Morgan, 2012). Moses promised to give them
freedom in the ‘Promised land’ away from calamities. In contrast, the film ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’
focuses on solution finding and preservation where Atlantis itself is the subject to be preserved.
These focus are shown when the main character, Milo ventured throughout Atlantis to find solutions
and ways to conserve Atlantis. They even have to fend off against selfish treasure hunters that only
thirst for Atlantis’ power source. Therefore, it clearly states that the focus on the movie itself is also
a distinctfeature thatmakesanyfilmunique intheirownway.
In conclusion, although having similarities that are unique to the cinematic culture, These two
wondrous animations also have many unique differences as they are two very distinct identity with
different story development, setting and timeline, technology and focus. I do wish that the television
industry will continue to provide us people with many of these films to enjoy as it is also a part of
our modernculture.Inreturnpeople dolearnandsee thingsdifferentlyaboutthe world.

4. Reference
AnimationMoviesatthe Box Office - Box Office Mojo. (2015). Retrievedfrom
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=animation.htm
ColleenMorgan.(2012, October10). Moses:The Prince of Egypt by ColleenMorganonPrezi.
Retrievedfromhttps://prezi.com/4ahxvfpcpsnj/moses-the-prince-of-egypt/
Paul Kerensa.(2006). The Movie Timeline:Atlantis:The LostEmpire.Retrievedfrom
http://www.themovietimeline.com/film93