Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley
Running Time: 150 minutes
Rating: 12A
Synopsis: The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton take on two of the most iconic roles from biblical stories, that of Moses and the Pharaoh, in Ridley Scott’s new grand epic EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS and, though the story itself is far from cheerful, Scott has opted for a decidedly dark approach here. Moses is no fairytale hero and Rhamses is no pantomime villain.
The personal stories of the major characters are given almost as much importance as the impressive special effects. Of course, what most people are interested in here is the special effects – which is unsurprising really, given the many spectacular elements contained within this notorious story. We’ve got ten plagues, chariot fights, the parting of the sea. The 3D is clearly meant to enhance the viewing experience and, while certain scenes do carry more of a powerful impact with the extra dimension, 3D locusts and flies tend to make for an uncomfortably immersive experience.
Scott is clearly not afraid to embrace the horror of the plagues, really delving into the darkness of them all. Yet he still manages to brush over 400 years of slavery with a couple of brief (albeit impressive) sweeping shots. He said himself that he could have made a fifteen hour movie if he’d kept everything in and his focus clearly lies with Moses and his relationship with his surrogate brother. Their bond is strong and it’s this bond that carries the film as they each go their separate ways.
Sadly, many characters are under-developed to allow more screen time for Bale’s tortured hero, which is a great shame when you have Sigourney Weaver loitering about in the background for most of her scenes and Aaron Paul not saying much at all. Paul’s introductory scene in the film showed great potential and immediately linked his Joshua with Bale’s Moses in a way that promised a great bond to come. Sadly, it never really happens.
Scott made some controversial and surprising decisions in the process of getting this film made – not just with the casting – but it is his take on God himself that is the most fascinating. The casting of 11-year-old Isaac Andrews is an inspired choice. Andrews takes the weight of such a role on his young shoulders well and shows a great maturity in his performance. The conversations between him and Bale are some of the most impressive of the whole film as they spar with each other and debate the fate of the slaves.
For every line trying so desperately to be epic – but just coming off cringeworthy – there is a moment of cinematic brilliance. Though it dances along the line between impressive and farcical a little too often, EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS is sure to keep many viewers entertained this holiday season.
[usr=3] EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS is out now in UK cinemas.
