Angel Studios debuts its first animated feature based on Charles Dickens’ book, The Life of Our Lord. Seong-ho Jang writes and directs The Kings of Kings, telling the story of Jesus Christ’s life and death. Charles Dickens (Kenneth Branaugh) recites a live reading of his beloved novella, A Christmas Carol, when his youngest son, Walter (Roman Griffith Davis), interrupts his performance. Walter is a carefree child who imagines himself as King Arthur, and his imagination gets the best of him as he causes mayhem both on and off the stage. This leads to his father punishing him and taking away his favorite toy, the Excalibur sword.
After a chaotic night, Dickens’ wife, Catherine (Uma Thurman), suggests he tell the story of Jesus (Oscar Isaac) to Walter. For her, it is a positive way of teaching her son the true meaning behind King Arthur, alongside valuable life lessons. Dickens is skeptical, as Walter is initially uninterested because it doesn’t feature the heroic feats of Arthurian legend. Charles Dickens captures the high points in Jesus’ epic life, captivating his son as he begins to sympathize with the Son of God’s humanity and is impressed by the divine miracles.
“After a chaotic night, Dickens’ wife, Catherine, suggests he tells the story of Jesus to Walter.”
Seong-ho Jang excels at capturing the life and death of Christ. From an artistic perspective, the film blends classic Renaissance imagery of Jesus with computer-generated animation’s incredible versatility. Scenes of him healing the Leper and walking on water are fantastic! They carry on the spectacle of Hollywood’s iconic Biblical epics in a contemporary way. Hyunsong We’s character designs are a perfect blend between slightly exaggerated and serious.
The vocal performances are well-cast and elevate the material. Oscar Isaac juggles the hard task of making Jesus both ethereal and relatable, and he succeeds! His best scenes are the quiet moments when Christ must come to terms with God’s divine plan. Branagh and Thurman bring warmth to their roles; together, they are the film’s heart.
The King of Kings is the perfect release for the Easter season. Its revelation of Jesus Christ’s story can still inspire the next generation of filmgoers through its timeless themes of redemption and forgiveness.
"…Scenes of him healing the Leper and walking on water are fantastic!"
