By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
When
Angel Studios presented their slate of upcoming releases at
CinemaCon a couple of weeks ago, I was genuinely impressed by the lineup. But one film in particular stood out:
"The King of Kings." Even my husband leaned over and said, "I want to see this."
The animated feature, directed and co-written by
VFX master Seong-ho Jang, is a heartfelt and visually stunning PG-rated children's film that tells the story of Jesus in a refreshingly original way. Loosely based on
Charles Dickens' lesser-known short story
"The Life of Our Lord," "The King of Kings" offers a moving and accessible retelling of "the greatest story ever told."
Kenneth Branagh (TV's "Blue Eye Samurai") lends his voice to Dickens, narrating the story to his skeptical son Walter (Roman Griffin Davis, "A Rare Grand Alignment"), while Uma Thurman ("The Old Guard 2") portrays Dickens' wife, Catherine. At first, Walter shows little interest, but as his father begins recounting the tale and makes it so engaging, Walter and his cranky cat, Willa are soon captivated, along with the audience.
The film begins with the birth of Jesus in a manger, then shows the three Wise Men and King Herod (Mark Hamill, "The Life of Chuck").
A wide-eyed Walter is wowed by the miracles he sees over time during Jesus' (Oscar Isaac, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse") transformation from child to adulthood and the work of his disciples that include Peter (Forest Whitaker, TV's "Godfather of Harlem").
What sets "The King of Kings" apart is its ability to balance reverence with accessibility. The film doesn't shy away from the emotional weight of Jesus' journey, like when he is taken by the High Priest Caiaphas (Sir Ben Kingsley, TV's "Wonder Man") and placed before Pontius Pilate (Pierce Brosnan, "Black Bag"), then nailed to the cross. It presents all of this through a lens that children can understand and connect with. The animation is both striking and tender, capturing the spirit of the message without being heavy-handed.
There's a sense of wonder and timelessness that runs throughout, "The King of Kings" which makes it ideal for family viewing.
In a cinematic landscape often filled with fast-paced spectacle, "The King of Kings" is a welcome change of pace. It offers a gentle, meaningful experience that encourages curiosity and conversation.
Whether you're familiar with the Biblical story or discovering it for the first time, this movie speaks to the heart. With its universal themes of compassion, sacrifice, and love, "The King of Kings" is a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling and why some stories truly are worth telling over and over again.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"THE KING OF KINGS"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
