In this animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ retelling of the life of Jesus, the story is presented through the lens of a peculiar narration by Dickens himself, voiced by Kenneth Branagh. The film is based on a story Dickens originally wrote for his children, which wasn’t published until 1934, decades after his death. In this version, Dickens tells the story of Jesus to his young son, Walter (Roman Griffin Davis), and Walter’s mischievous cat. Dickens explains to Walter, who is more interested in King Arthur, that Jesus is the true “King of Kings.”
The narrative unfolds as Walter and Dickens, dressed in 19th-century clothing, traverse scenes from Jesus’ life, from the nativity to the crucifixion. This structure is reminiscent of “A Christmas Carol,” where Scrooge and his spectral guides travel through time. While this approach adds a historical touch, the pacing may feel slow for its target audience, especially given its lengthy runtime.
On a technical level, the film offers a mix of strengths and weaknesses. The backgrounds are rich in detail, and the lighting is beautiful. However, the character animation leaves much to be desired. Jesus is depicted with a strangely long neck and an overly smooth, bobblehead-like appearance. His disciples and other characters, particularly the antagonistic “Pharisees,” are exaggerated in their design, with notably large noses. The portrayal of the Pharisees is especially troubling, as the word “Jewish” is barely mentioned, which may seem insensitive to some viewers.
The voice cast, however, is one of the film’s brighter points. Oscar Isaac brings a subtle, grounded performance to Jesus, while Forest Whitaker’s earthy portrayal of Peter and Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of the pompous Pontius Pilate add depth. Interestingly, Pilate’s character is designed to resemble actor Charles Dance.
While “The King of Kings” doesn’t reach the heights of other biblical epics, it remains an adequate, if flawed, family film. It’s an accessible introduction to the story of Jesus, but its technical shortcomings and uneven pacing may limit its appeal to younger audiences.
The King of Kings opens in UK and Irish cinemas on 11 April and in Australian cinemas on 10 April.
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