EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS MOVIE REVIEW

How do you tell a story that's already been told and interpreted in a 1000 different ways? Exodus is the second book of the Hebrew Torah and the Christian Bible. The Gladiator fame Ridley Scott is back with the story of Moses this time. While The Ten Commandments spoke of the same story, Exodus inspires you to go read the Bible, irrespective of the religion you belong to. 

 

Going back to the days at Egypt will not be an unimaginable task for the production designer?  Be it the technology or the 'Midas' touch from the art directors, this Christian Bale starer looks breathtaking. You've seen the whole of Egypt in films like The Mummy Franchise already, but here, the cinematography and DI take you to the exotic locales of the then world.

 

When there is nothing much to talk about the story, it is the production value of the film, the number of junior artists in the atmosphere of a single frame, their costumes and bringing back the real habitat that once existed astounds you. The film literally takes you, into the stimulus.

 

Bale is not just Batman to this world. He has done lot other movies that will surprise you. He was born to be an actor. When you forget him to be a super-hero dressed in black and see a Moses in him, that's his acting in simple words for you. Be it the mighty warrior or the travel during the exile, critics are finding new phrases to describe his acting. I am in fact tired praising him. He is so good at changing the dimensions of his body.  

 

One trivia that will amaze you to the fullest is that the film that you just watched, the film made in such a scale with grandeur all through, the film that has a civilization brought back to silver-screen, the film that has got rolling credits longer than the Great Wall of China is made by a man who is 77 years old.

 

From the sands of the then Egypt to the huge monuments around to the glittery attire of the Kings to the type of food the people actually eat  to the horses and chariots and the fashion statement then in Egypt, Exodus looks convincingly real. The screenplay is bang on. The film has a story that everybody knows. Steven's screenplay lets the amusement grow from one scene to the other. 

 

Casting is what that saves the film from a boring plot. Take it to be the story of Lord Krishna or even the re-incarnation of Jesus, Exodus gets the thinking juices to brew in you. What does a Barbarian do, to stop the 400 years of slavery? How does the God help him? God wants to show his supreme power at the cost of bringing in deadly diseases and uncontrollable natural calamities? You simultaneously start to think as a viewer apart from watching the film. 

 

Forget the Biblical accuracies, Exodus has got its version though. It is more of an experience, staged by really talented people. This version of Moses will entertain you with an intent. Watch it in Dolby Atmos and remain awestruck for the rest of the day.