The King of Kings: A Quick Review
I don’t often go to the movies anymore and I’m surely not a movie critic. But perhaps because I’m a retired pastor or just a curious older lady, I ordered tickets online for Angel Studios’ production of King of Kings.
Thinking that spring break was still in session (and that there probably wouldn’t be a whole lot of people at the theater on the very first day of this film release), I went to the Emagine Theater in Noblesville, but learned another valuable lesson during my trip.
The theater quickly (almost) filled up with many children from ages of “wee-ones to “middle” ones, to older pre-teen and teen ones, and also elder-grandparent ones to watch this movie. When I asked a lovely young lady if this crowd was a pre-school group, she smiled and told me they were a group of parents and kids who are home-schooled in our local community. (I never knew there were that many!)
King of Kings is an animated recount of the major life events of Jesus Christ from birth to his resurrection. It begins with a father telling his young son, Walter, the story about the king of kings, but something strange happened directly in the theater.
I noticed that the viewers in the audience were quickly immersed into the father’s storytelling. Listening as intently as the animated son, slowly but surely, we began to walk alongside Jesus in his journeys with his disciples. But what happened in the hearts and minds of the people watching this movie is the true miracle.
Except for a child or two who made a hurried exit and a quick return (probably from an obligatory bathroom break), everyone in the audience became totally engaged in this story. Kids, parents and grandparents alike became glued to the screen and thrown into the story as if they were actually walking alongside Jesus. I never saw such a well-behaved and attentive group of people in my life!
When the film’s family pet cat produced laughter, the audience laughed. When the boy in the story cried, we cried. And boy, did some of us cry!!!! We were all in the moment together!
This is God’s true power and glory that shined in the little theater that day! We all really connected to Jesus!
Angel Studios, thank you. This animated recount of the life of Jesus was scripturally based and tastefully done. The professional graphics and audio sounds helped to pull the viewer into the story of Jesus Christ. You should know that you made quite a few new disciples that day and strengthened the faith of many who already believe in the King of Kings!
Go . . . See . . . Do! A highly recommended “Must See” by all! King of Kings is time and money well-spent! (Free tickets may be available through Angel Studios, too). An appropriate film to see all year round, it is even more special now that Easter is near!
Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, author, columnist for The Times and an RN in mental health nursing and health plan accreditations. Send comments and prayer requests to [email protected].