I waited like two years and small studio means limited release. I work just about every shift my nephew has off while the movie is in theatres, so I saw the early release on the 14th between night shifts. If you’re on the fence, encourage you to bring your family if it’s playing in your neck of the woods. Just know it’s safer for younger viewers as opposed to a more adult storyline.
David is Angel’s Studio’s latest animated feature, telling part of the King David Story from Samuel I & II. Stunning visuals and mostly true to the source material, I’m not sure if I can spoil much but I’m going to review it like someone who wanted to take a six year old to see it.
Earlier this year Angel Studios released King of Kings, which was one of two animated movies released this year about the Ministry of Jesus but was framed around Charles Dickens telling the story to his young son, who is addicted to all things King Arthur. His swashbuckling son is sceptical because he wants action and adventure, but Dickens tells the story of Jesus’ ministry on earth and slowly moves his son towards understanding the father’s love for his children through the message of the gospel.
Kids like action and adventure, and I think if we go in knowing that we can accommodate without scaring them. Imagine my… nervousness knowing what all happens in Samuel I & II, as David’s a warrior and the source material doesn’t shy away from the reality of war. We do see the famous David and Goliath fight, but we don’t see the aftermath of David finishing him and, there are battles but the story depicts the action more or less bloodlessly; I’d have to watch it again to be certain. That isn’t to say that there aren’t scary parts; there are near-misses with javelins and arrows, as well the Israelites aren’t just up against the Philistines, but the Amalekites are depicted as very scary but, there were young children in the theatre and I didn’t hear anyone crying out in terror when they appeared.
The story clocks in at just under two hours and doesn’t waste much time. We go from David tending his flock and showing mercy on a predator to being anointed by Samuel, to meeting Saul and then we deal with Goliath. Time skip from David as a youth to David as a young man, the story line is condensed and certain events are skipped – no reference to David’s wives or showing him fleeing with his army to the Philistines to pretend to be mad; the story ends shortly after Saul’s defeat but after David inspires his men to take back their loved ones from the Amalekites. We don’t get into any of him being King of Judah before all of Israel or anything with Bathsheba or Absalom, no references to any of his wives so you don’t have to worry about any of those conversations with younger family members.
The attention to detail is fantastic, I’m not sure why everyone wants to see the texture of the weaving or count the freckles on the characters’ cheeks, and there are some shots that are just beautiful. I cannot comment about any historical inaccuracies, I know the story very well but I don’t know much about what would be expected in terms of depictions of clothing or armor for that time period. Those of us who are in the know about certain things will catch little depictions in the armor of the Philistines, and Goliath references the god Dagon. Honestly, it felt like a lot of love and attention was given to depicting background characters as well as major ones, if I had to pick a favourite design Imma go with the King of the Philistines, he is named but I kept calling him King Beardsley. If you know you know.
My one niece asked how it was compared to Prince of Egypt and I think this one squares up more in the religious category because of the focus and overall tone of the story. I knew quite a few people who weren’t particularly religious but enjoyed Prince of Egypt from a technical standpoint. Prince of Egypt really put the focus on Moses, whereas David tells David’s story, but ultimately it felt like David was reactionary to the events; this might have been intentional to make him feel more like God’s servant than a traditional hero but I don’t know what was going through the showrunner’s minds. I felt like this one appealed more to a religious audience overall but, I would love to hear some reactions from viewers who wouldn’t count themselves as believers but are at least somewhat familiar with the story.
The movie feels story-driven as opposed to character-driven, which is a nice change considering just how common the latter is, but it took me thinking about what felt different about it and I think ultimately it’s that the studio played it very safe in several regards. David as a character is pretty flawless, and that can be handled well in the hands of a skilled writer. Instead of focusing on his growth, he’s juxtaposed as more fit for the crown as compared to the proud Saul, and the focus goes onto the overall message of the story: overcoming fear and trusting in the Goodness of God, even when the odds seem overwhelming. The other way it played it safe was the music. None of it is bad, but it feels like the studio wanted to make a family movie for the religious first. It plays it safe.
I think this review has gone on long enough; I may change my mind on a thing here or there after I’ve seen it again and can do a proper analysis. Recommended, go see it knowing it’s a family film not meant to be an adventure movie for teens who crave violence. Oh, and Angel Studios is doing Animal Farm, but I don’t have to wait a few years. This’ll be fun.
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