March 28, 2025

King of Kings is enjoyable, offers fine Easter viewing for kids

By Ann Margaret Lewis

King of Kings premieres in theaters on April 11. (Photo courtesy of Angel Studios)Just in time for Easter, Angel Studios is set to release King of Kings, an animated retelling of the life of Christ through the eyes of Charles Dickens and his youngest son.

The film is based on the play To Begin With by Jeffrey Hatcher, which was, in turn, based on the book The Life of Our Lord that Dickens wrote for and read to his children every year, but refused to publish in his or his children’s lifetimes.

As a framing element, Dickens narrates the story to his youngest son Walter, and we see the story through the boy’s imagination, wherein he inserts himself into the events of Christ’s life.

An all-star cast lends their vocal talents to the production with Sir Kenneth Branagh as Charles Dickens, Pierce Brosnan as Pontius Pilate, Mark Hamill as King Herod, Oscar Isaac as Jesus, Sir Ben Kingsley as Caiaphas, Forest Whitaker as Peter and Uma Thurman as Dickens’ wife Catherine.

The film’s animation is as colorful and polished as any DreamWorks or Disney production, and it is intentionally aimed at a younger audience. It is directed and co-written by Seong-ho “Jay” Jang, one of the most respected filmmakers in Korea, who teamed up with veteran Disney feature film screenwriter Rob Edwards to construct the story from Hatcher’s original play.

The film is enjoyable. There’s a slapstick opening featuring Walter and his goofy cat that was a bit much for me, but it was meant to grab a child’s attention, so I find that forgivable. The Crucifixion later in the film is presented in a way that is also appropriate for a children’s audience.

King of Kings is, on the whole, a good family watch for Holy Week and Easter.

The film opens nationwide on April 11, though showings are available on April 10, in theaters across central and southern Indiana. For more information, locations and to purchase tickets, go to angel.com/movies/king-of-kings. †

 

 

 

 

 

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