'Exodus: Gods and Kings' Movie Review: Controversies Plague Moses Film
Spectacular is the word often used when describing "Exodus: Gods and Kings," the latest film from Director Ridley Scott.
While this description might be true of the film's CGI, which is magnified by 3D, the performances of the cast, especially that of Christian Bale, did not merit the same description, according to critics.
"Exodus: Gods and Kings" opens on Dec. 12. Many observers have predicted that the film will take the number one spot at the box office for at least a week despite being plagued with controversies. These controversies included the portrayal of God as a young boy and the allegation that only white actors were hired for roles in the film.
The Hollywood Reporter describes the film as rich with spectacular imagery just like other Ridley Scott films. However, it says the film fails when it comes to showing Ramses (Joel Edgerton) and Moses (Christian Bale) as friends, resulting in a shaky start.
As the film progresses towards the halfway, scenes on the 10 plagues that hit Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea made the film more interesting, according to reviewers. Buy the last scene showing Moses revealing the Ten Commandments is deemed anticlimactic by the Hollywood Reporter.
Entertainment Weekly, in its review, notes that the film has several absurd moments. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed to leave the audience dazzled, it adds.
Referring to Scott's other Oscar-winning masterpieces, EW describes the film as "Gladiator with God." It says Bale delivers a brooding performance in the lead role. Moreover, it says the depiction of God as the boy Malak (Isaac Andrews) is "problematic, mystifying and laughable."
Other reviewers have also criticized Scott's decision to portray God as a willful child while others say that the boy only portrays the voice of God.
The New York Times says Andrews playing God is a major problem. This is echoed by Chris Stone, from Faith Driven Consumer, who states that "it will be difficult for anyone who has any relationship with God and the Scripture to say this is OK."
