“Where is your God now Moses?” – EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

That’s just such an iconic line delivered by Edward G. Robinson in Cecil B. DeMille’s classic The Ten Commandments. And say what you will about Charlton Heston later in life becoming a gun law opposing NRA frontman; before all that, he made a very believable and imposing Moses, despite being Caucasian. It’s was impossible for me to watch Ridley Scott’s latest efforts to join the big budget Bible bandwagon – Exodus: Gods and Kings, without comparing it to The Ten Commandments and I’m certain I’m not alone. There’s just something so magical and moving about this 1956 telling of the life of Moses, beginning with his adoption by the Pharaoh’s daughter out of a basket found in the reeds, to his snake shifting staff, to delivering the stone tablets.

I’m sure Scott, Christian Bale (as Moses) and the studios behind this 140 million dollar mammoth undertaking felt they could bring something new and powerful to this biblical story, particularly in light of today’s technology. Unfortunately, Bale can’t fill Heston’s sandals, Joel Edgerton can’t steer Yul Brenner’s chariot, and as visually impressive as the scenes with swarms of flies, bloody seas, hordes of frogs and plagues of locusts may be… there’s just no spirit to Exodus: Gods and Kings, no glue, no form and no consistency in casting, I understand Scott’s loyalty to Alien lead Sigourney Weaver, but her cameo as the Pharaoh’s mother just looked odd. I’m not alone when I say it would be good to see one of these movies set in Egypt, Jerusalem etc.., use an all brown/tan, ethnic looking cast, not just throw in an authentic looking wife or two. I know studios need to feel a movie must have a big name actor attached to it; but what’s really needed are top biblical scholars and a single writer with insight and vision on these projects, then you wouldn’t need to pepper the movie with stars.

If you’re looking for a movie full of testosterone, gorgeous CGI, swords and shields raised in battle, and two cocky guys going from brothers to enemies, then I recommend Exodus: Gods and Kings. If you were hoping to see an examination of Moses as a man and instrument, a story about faith and destiny, ancient history and wonder, then you’re not alone – perhaps one day.- Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

T &T’s LAMB Score : 2.5 outta 5

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In answer to the white casting choices, director Ridley Scott had this to say:

“Egypt was – as it is now – a confluence of cultures, as a result of being a crossroads geographically between Africa, the Middle East and Europe. We cast major actors from different ethnicities to reflect this diversity of culture, from Iranians to Spaniards to Arabs. There are many different theories about the ethnicity of the Egyptian people, and we had a lot of discussions about how to best represent the culture,” the director told Yahoo. READ MORE The Playlist Indiewire.com

Moses is imagined as if Scott met him on an awkward first date. He’s presented as a courageous hero, then as a holy fool directed by a dour boyish deity who may be an illusion. The one point of clarity about his decades-long rescue mission is how violent it is. It’s as if Moses’ acts were cannibalized for an expensive remake of “Mortal Kombat.”

There’s clearly nothing in the director’s mind except how the hordes of thousands should be whirling and thrashing in the next chariot fight scene. He believes we’ll never complain if we don’t understand the story completely, as long as there’s always something interesting happening on-screen…READ MORE Colin Covert – StarTribune.com

The Exodus story has endured for more than 3000 years. It is the story of liberation from bondage, victory over oppressors and how one individual can make a difference. See The Exodus Revealed – Search for the Red Sea Crossing video below