The story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt is a powerful and iconic story that people of multiple faiths have come to know and embrace. There’s a burning bush, ten devastating plagues, a parting of the sea, and a triumphant journey towards freedom. For a story filled with so much, Ridley Scott offers it so little. EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS is never boring thanks in large part to a strong visual design, but never does it grab hold of your mind or heart as much as your eyes.
Moses (Christian Bale) is a natural leader as evident when the film begins. He rides into battle alongside Ramses (Joel Edgerton), the son of the Pharaoh (John Turturro) who adopted Moses as a son long ago. But it is upon the Pharaoh’s death that Moses has to see Ramses now claim the throne and rule Egypt, whom he does with an oppressive hand. When word gets out around the kingdom that Moses is in fact born a Jewish slave, he is immediately cast out. He survives the brutal trek through the desert and meets a young woman in a small town that he eventually marries. Late one night, Moses is called to a mountain peak where he becomes trapped in a mud-pit and encounters a burning bush and a young boy (the voice of God) who tells Moses he must lead the captive slaves out of Egypt.
EXODUS is a film that tells the story that many have read a number of times in the good book but in a way without any inspiration or meaning behind it. As should be expected from Ridley Scott at this point in his career, he fills the screen with lush visuals, decadent costumes, and CGI spectacle (including some appropriately visceral plague sequences), but rarely does he attach any emotions to all the holy rolling. For a story that seems ripe for interpretation and spiritual discourse, rarely does it delve into the consequences or significance of Moses’ actions. It is not all Scott’s or the story’s fault either. Christian Bale doesn’t really give us someone to root for. I struggled to connect with his journey because his character comes across as so impassive to the world around him. Bale seems to be going through the motions much like the writers and director of this film.
Ridley Scott’s attempt at delivering a new bible classic like THE TEN COMMANDMENTS that came before it ultimately fails because it’s simply a straightforward retelling of the classic biblical story. Never do you feel that there’s a desire to delve deeper into the meaning behind the story. The internal struggle of Moses or the historical significance of the Hebrew people being enslaved for over 400 years is never really called into question. Instead all we get is the standard power-hungry king story that is so overplayed in films, and which, I would argue, completely outshines the story of Moses. Joel Edgerton actually does a decent job even if he really does feel like an actor in garish make up the entire time. In fact, the most interesting character in the entire long ordeal is God who speaks to Moses through the image of a child. The boy’s short stature and young appearance is contrary to the harsh and argumentative tone that God uses to communicate with Moses. It’s an interesting dynamic that transpires like a clever one-act play you would see performed at a college theater.
I’ve come to acknowledge that Ridley Scott has had more misses in his career than hits. Much more in fact. Though his masterpieces are truly that, it is unfortunate that his legacy continues to be tarnished with recent misfires such as this. At this point, you could barely fill one of the Commandment tablets with films of his worth preaching from the Mount.
Overall rating: 2 ½ out of 5
EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS opens in theaters on December 12
