Review of Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) by Dragonsfoe . — 20 Apr 2015

A movie that feels higher than the split Red Sea.

Ridley Scott's most recent directorial feature is ambitious and visually engaging with fine acting from the two leads. But that's where the most redeeming values end.

Scott's film is directed in a visually appealing way but it doesn't stray from the fact that the film has many narrative problems. The story could have been very engaging but the pacing and many unnessasaryily stretched out scenes lessened its potential as an epic. Weavers character was very unnessasary and was not needed in addition to many other supporting characters including Kingsley and Aaron Paul who was left out of marketing. Another problem I had with the film was the relationship between Moses and Ramses. The actors did fine with what they had but the writing did not develop their "brotherly love" as much as they should have. They could have incorporated more to their friendship so that the breaking of their companionship would be more devastating and impactful.

The film left me unsatisfied and even with its epic scope and plagues that were still intriguing to look at it did not give the impact that I was hoping for, emotionally or religiously.

Rating: 6.3 (C-).