Oscar Isaac Stars in this Angel Studios Epic.

by Rosa Parra

Angel Studios, known for its theatrically released films, has now ventured into the world of feature-length animated films with a unique twist. Their first offering, “The King of Kings,” directed by Jang Seong-Ho, retells the story of Jesus Christ from a perspective you’ve never seen before, that of Charles Dickens. The film features the voices of Oscar Isaac, Kenneth Branagh, Ben Kingsley, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan, Roman Griffin Davis, and Forest Whitaker. 

In this story, Dickens (voiced by Branagh) shares the tale of Jesus Christ with his son, Walter (voiced by Davis). Walter is captivated by the adventures of King Arthur, drawn to the bravery and action depicted in the tales of swords and battles. However, Dickens explains to Walter that the true King of Kings is someone who didn’t rely on weapons to earn admiration and respect. He emphasizes that Jesus Christ became a king not by defeating anyone in battle but through the strength of his character and teachings.

The film effectively tells this story in a child-friendly manner. What makes it even sweeter is the father-son relationship between Charles and Walter. It’s fitting that a narrative often considered one of the greatest stories ever told between a father and son is being retold through another father and son duo. The addition of Walter’s cat, Willa, is also adorable and one of the highlights of the film. Having a pet is something to which many children can relate. Willa’s reactions, which mirror Walter’s in various aspects of the story, provide moments of levity throughout the film.

The voice performances were all phenomenally done, but it’s the animation that truly stands out. The animators’ intention of animating the characters differently is evident and commendable. The characters in the time of Jesus Christ are drawn with very sharp edge shapes, very prevalent. Meanwhile, the characters in the Charles Dickens time (including the cat) have a rather more circular, soft edge shapes. This attention to detail and the overall animation quality make this film a visual treat, beautifully depicting both historical times accurately. 

The film kicks off with a strong start, drawing you into the story. However, it does lose some momentum in the third act. Throughout the first two acts, Walter and Willa play a significant role in the story of Christ, making it feel like they are both present and witnessing everything unfold. In the third act, which I admit is the most challenging one to tell children, they both aren’t as present and what began as a child-friendly and digestible telling of the story became rather boring and somber (just the last 20 minutes). Despite this, the film does a good job presenting this story in a manageable and digestible manner. 

As someone who isn’t of the Christian/Catholic faith, I can attest that this movie does an excellent job of not hammering in the religious aspects of this story. I consider myself a spiritual person and don’t necessarily practice any religion. The film’s approach is respectful and inclusive, and I never once felt overwhelmed or uncomfortable with its delivery. 

Overall, “The King of Kings” effectively understands its target audience and successfully tells the greatest story ever told from the perspective of one of the greatest novelists. With beautiful animation and excellent voice acting, this film presents a unique interpretation of the story of Jesus Christ.

Rating: 8 out of 10