Movie Review Exodus: Gods and Kings
Exodus: Gods and Kings is another attempt by Hollywood to embrace spirituality on the big screen. However, unlike Noah, the faithful may find themselves much more redeemed if only slightly. Where the movie may lack in drama, it makes up for in thunderous spectacle.
Christian Bale stars as Moses and Joel Edgerton from The Great Gatsby is Ramses, brothers in Egypt who are both united until the discovery of Moses’ true ancestry comes to the forefront and Ramses has him exiled to the desert. There he meets God in the form of a young boy rather than the burning bush. God asks Moses to return to Egypt to free the Hebrew slaves. Once he returns, Moses confronts Ramses about what he’s been told, but Ramses ignores and shortly thereafter all of Egypt is faced with the ten Biblical plagues. Everything from locusts to rivers of blood and from frogs to flies are on display in a truly impressive fashion.
Of course, following the story in a somewhat faithful manner, Moses then leads the Hebrews out of captivity by taking them to the Red Sea to cross it. Here is when Scott’s full-on, all-out incredible visuals take front and center.
Even though Scott’s tried-and-true method with the historical epic has been done before, it should’ve been handled with a lot more emotional resonance. Instead, we get a really chatty section of the movie before, during, and after the spectacle takes place, and while staying true whenever possible, it doesn’t add anything new or interesting. It seems like the only reason to make the movie was to show off the advancements in CGI. No more, no less.
I actually find myself surprised for recommending this movie on the basis of its spectacle. Even though I don’t feel that the story wasn’t drawing me in or the characters were just sketchily developed, the movie does create spectacular imagery that we really don’t see in too many movies these days. Exodus doesn’t enter the Promised Land, but it does get there in the distance.
> Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for violence including battle sequences and intense images.)
Until next time, White County, this is Justin Hall saying I’ll see you AT THE MOVIES!
Movie Review Exodus: Gods and Kings
