Telling the story of Islam

Told as a children’s fable, “Muhammad: The Last Prophet” is the story of Islam’s divinely inspired teacher and serves as a primer, presenting the religion’s basic principles in a straightforward manner.

Director Richard Rich, whose numerous mainstream animation credits include “The Fox and the Hound” and “The Trumpet of the Swan,” faces the daunting task of not being able to actually show Muhammad in accordance with Islamic law. He and screenwriter Brian Nissen are for the most part successful, focusing on the struggles of Muhammad’s followers in 7th century Arabia. The reliance on point-of-view shots, however, is at times disorienting and creates the unintentionally comedic effect of a prophet-cam panning back and forth or up and down as Muhammad moves his head.

*

-- Kevin Crust

“Muhammad: The Last Prophet,” unrated. Some war action. Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes. Opens Sunday in selected theaters.