Movie Review: ‘The King of Kings’ – The Greatest Story Ever Told, Again but Differently.

Every Christian or person of faith is familiar with the story of Jesus the Messiah and Son of God who came to die for our sins. It is a story told countless times in several formats and even captured in the holy books.

But director Jang Seongho presents this very familiar story with a fresh take in his animated film, ‘The King of Kings‘. He uses this film to invite us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child.

In the film, a father tells his son what he believes is the greatest story ever told. The bedtime tale takes shape through the child’s imagination as he gets to see, hear, and walk side by side with Jesus. He witnesses the story from Jesus’s birth, His miracles, the trials He faces, through to the ultimate sacrifice of dying on the cross for all our sins.

Charles Dickens, voiced by Kenneth Branagh, narrates the story to his son Walter (voiced by Roman Griffin Davis), making it a touching father-son moment filled with elements of faith, fun, and humour. Even though this is a well-known story, ‘The King of Kings‘ manages to keep things fresh while staying accurate to the facts and details widely known. The true creativity here is how it holds your attention from start to finish.

The true creativity displayed here is how it holds your attention from start to finish, making an age-old story feel new and engaging.

Much of this success is owed to the stellar voice acting. The film features some notable actors who bring the characters to life with powerful performances. Uma Thurman voices Catherine Dickens, Mark Hamill voices King Herod, Pierce Brosnan takes on the role of Pontius Pilate, and Forest Whitaker delivers a compelling performance as Peter. Their collective efforts add to the film’s emotional resonance as their individual performances make the audience feel the weight of each moment in the story.

The animation and its narration make excellent use of the 103-minute runtime. It brilliantly condenses the entire story of Jesus into a digestible and engaging experience. The storytelling is immersive, almost as though you are watching this story unfold through a child’s eyes. The film uses a modern 3D animation style to enhance the world-building and composition whilst bringing so much life into the characters.

Also, you would appreciate the sound design elements as they add to making the overall cinematic experience immersive.

“If you have faith that I can do it, then it will be done.” These words from Jesus stood out to me and seem to capture the film’s central theme which is the power of faith and its saving grace. We all have moments where hope feels lost, and despair takes over, but this film reminds us of the need to trust in our Creator and His power to make all things better. And just like it points out towards to end of the film, ‘We are alive again because He has risen’. As Christians, this is something that we often need to be reminded of.

I will score this film a well-deserving 8/10. It reminds us of faith and the need to hold onto it. However, ‘The King of Kings‘ feels like a film that can still be enjoyed and appreciated by those who may not share in the Christian faith. It doesn’t try to be preachy or force conversion but rather tells a compelling and heartfelt story. But certainly, for believers, its message and emotional depth are sure to resonate more deeply.

This is a film you will surely enjoy during the Easter season, whether in theatres or from the comfort of your home. Even if not for its message and themes, the storytelling, animation, and performances make it a rewarding watch.

The King of Kings is releasing in theatres across the world starting April 11th.