Exodus: Gods and Kings

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AmbassadorDec 13, 2014

I give it 1 mark only for the costumes. If Hollywood can make a magnificent movie like Schindler's List to be true and accurate why can't they make a movie from the Bible the same way? Not add anything like a landslide that never happened orI give it 1 mark only for the costumes. If Hollywood can make a magnificent movie like Schindler's List to be true and accurate why can't they make a movie from the Bible the same way? Not add anything like a landslide that never happened or rocks that come to life in Noah. We walked out and got our money back. I double dare Hollywood to make a true and accurate Exodus movie from the author Himself.… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

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10

appreciateDec 13, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think it was great and technologically advanced in the making any person that can bring in the open the wonderful stories of the bible is great. It's better then some of the evil garbage in the movies today that fill r youth with horrible thoughts but I found it to b a little off from scripture but again it's great to see stories from our true history come alive even if they r a little off people can be drawn to read the true story themselves everyone should see and support good quality movies… Expand

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

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LeasyDec 13, 2014

Horrible depiction of World History

Where can I start with this horrible movie. Ridley Scott allowed his fantasy to get the best of him with this creation. First, Ancient Egyptians were not Europeans but Africans as their practices,Horrible depiction of World History

Where can I start with this horrible movie. Ridley Scott allowed his fantasy to get the best of him with this creation. First, Ancient Egyptians were not Europeans but Africans as their practices, murals, customs and beliefs are African. Depicting Ancient Egypt as European when the African Egyptians called them Typhonians or People of Seth because of their love of violence and destruction wrecked havoc on their societies for thousands of years. I suggest if you are a history buff please do not purchase a ticket for this movie. I am a White professor myself but I can't condone history being rewritten destroyed by people like director Ridley Scott any longer. This is disrespectful to individuals as myself who spent countless hours of research and travel to these wonderful places for truth and love. I am just fed up I am typing furiously on my keyboard because we as a people need to advance pass the differences and racism. It is the 21st century.

Thank You.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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9

theofficeDec 13, 2014

Yet again another divisive movie based on the Bible. Just so you guys know I am Catholic and take faith seriously. And personally I found the movie to be very good. Yes, the director does take some artistic leeway in terms of how some scenesYet again another divisive movie based on the Bible. Just so you guys know I am Catholic and take faith seriously. And personally I found the movie to be very good. Yes, the director does take some artistic leeway in terms of how some scenes play out but honestly taken as a whole it has all the major parts and main points there. I do think the director wanted to walk a fine line to try and get his atheist/hollywood audience to buy it but there isn't much discussion about God being real within the context of the movie as (spoiler alert lol) the Red Sea parts. So it is definitely clear that God is there. Is it exactly like the old movies? No. It is a really good movie worth seeing and faithful to the Bible? Yes. I will say I was glad that at least Moses said "God" unlike Noah who only said "the Creator". If you are a hardcore literal interpretation of the Bible type person then you won't like it. But I think the vast majority of people including those of faith will.… Expand

7 of 17 users found this helpful710

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7

demolisher7778Dec 12, 2014

The beginning of this movie was boring.... I mean PAINFULLY boring. But as the movie progressed it picked up the pace and had some pretty awesome sequences. It is just too bad that it was too long and dragged on and made me want it to end.The beginning of this movie was boring.... I mean PAINFULLY boring. But as the movie progressed it picked up the pace and had some pretty awesome sequences. It is just too bad that it was too long and dragged on and made me want it to end. But all in all, Exodus is a good movie. It just could have been much more.… Expand

3 of 13 users found this helpful310

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2

allisonjane65Dec 12, 2014

Having watched the mess that was 'Noah' I probably should have known better than to trust another 'visionary' Hollywood director to deliver on another epic Bible story.

I was under no illusion that this would be 100% faithful to the sourceHaving watched the mess that was 'Noah' I probably should have known better than to trust another 'visionary' Hollywood director to deliver on another epic Bible story.

I was under no illusion that this would be 100% faithful to the source material, and some embellishment was to be expected, but what Scott has done is inexcusable and absurd.

What a wasted opportunity.… Expand

11 of 19 users found this helpful118

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Pops1924Dec 12, 2014

Pure trash, Ridley with the blatant white washing deserves this movie to bomb. Seti, Ramses II, Tuya and countless other Egyptians in this garbage heap of a movie were real people that lived thousands of years ago and they were not white,Pure trash, Ridley with the blatant white washing deserves this movie to bomb. Seti, Ramses II, Tuya and countless other Egyptians in this garbage heap of a movie were real people that lived thousands of years ago and they were not white, they were brown skinned people that looked nothing like the pasty Edgarton, Weaver, Bale or the rest of the cast of friends. Sunscreen didn't exist yet, no way in hell someone with Sigourney Weaver's ghoulish complexion would be able to handle the Egyptian heat, I have less trouble believing a man could part the ocean than I do with someone as ghostly as here surviving that area without stage 4 skin cancer. Someone should have spoken to the mods about this movie before it was made, incredible that something so blatant could be made in this age.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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2

GreatMartinDec 12, 2014

IF you HAVE to see EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS see it in 3D or don’t bother seeing it. The only reason for seeing this film is for the special effects. I sat there wishing Anne Baxter or Yul Brynner would come on screen and start chewing theIF you HAVE to see EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS see it in 3D or don’t bother seeing it. The only reason for seeing this film is for the special effects. I sat there wishing Anne Baxter or Yul Brynner would come on screen and start chewing the scenery! I never thought I would think of Charleton Heston as a great actor but I did watching this. If you don’t know what I am talking about please see THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, a 1956 American religious epic film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, that was cheesy and camp!

Aside from taking many liberties with the Bible this film is seriously miscast with the two male leads. Christian Bale seems to have only two expressions, neither appropriate to the role of Moses as a leader. We know that ’a child should lead them’ but God as a child? Oh to hear Cecil B. DeMille’s booming voice! Joel Edgerton, as Ramses, has Brynner’s build but wears a lot more mascara.

Sigourney Weaver is completely wasted as Ramses’s mother but then most of the women in the film are a second thought. Ben Kingsley and John Turtuuro are given little to work with but do what they can with the underwritten roles.

It took 4 writers: Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Jeffrey Caine and Steven Zaillian to write a script that lets all the actors down and Ridley Scott, the director, and one of the producers, certainly loves the blood and gore.

Getting back to the special effects while DeMille had a lot less money and nowhere near the techniques available today most of his effects were cheesy and funny but Scott does everything he can, using every technical aspect available to show the plagues and, yes, his parting of the sea is spectacular.

Just for the record, and this may be a mark against me, as I watched Moses etch the tablets--yes he does--while tea is supplied by God, I couldn’t get Mel Brooks, as Moses, in his film HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1 dropping the third tablet. If you haven’t seen this film and/or the Cecil B. DeMille’s film do yourself a favor and watch them instead of seeing EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS!… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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10

SchroederRockDec 12, 2014

Usually I give fair reviews, but since people are tanking the scores because it doesn't follow a Biblical story properly, I'm giving it a 10. As a Christian, I want to spite all the other Christians that forget that Hollywood is Hollywood,Usually I give fair reviews, but since people are tanking the scores because it doesn't follow a Biblical story properly, I'm giving it a 10. As a Christian, I want to spite all the other Christians that forget that Hollywood is Hollywood, and that Ridley Scott only does epic death and not much else. The only surprise here is that Russell Crowe wasn't tapped for the lead role. I'm rooting for this movie to tear it up this season, if for no other reason than to piss off the close-minded r-tards that can't take a joke and forbid a little dancing. Cheers!… Expand

22 of 47 users found this helpful2225

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5

Mazmorrero47Dec 12, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The visual elements in Exodus: Gods and Kings (cinematography, art design, and CGI) are competently executed (the sequence with the plagues is a standout). Unfortunately, I get the impression that the movie had several scenes cut for commercial purposes. What makes the Moses story so captivating is that it's about a love-hate relationship between two brothers, an aspect that wasn't explored with much depth. I never felt Moses and Ramses grew up together since they always acted like enemies when they were in each other's presence. The latter being portrayed as a one-dimensional cartoon villain doesn't help much to the cause either. The characters' motivations don't always make sense (E.g: Moses claims to care about the Egyptians, yet he orders his men to burn their food supplies), and their development is rushed (E.g: Moses accepts his fate as a prophet too easily).

The acting is fine, which would normally be a compliment, but keeping in mind we have the likes of Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Aaron Paul and Ben Kingsley (the latter three are criminally underused), it comes off as a disappointment. But they're not to blame, the fault relies on the paper-thin script they had to work with. Bale however has his moments, and achieved to project his trademark gravitas into Moses. You buy him as an imposing leader and a morally torn prophet.

Another major problem was God's characterization, which had the subtlety of a Super Bowl commercial. Instead of being a mysterious voice of reason, he's a hateful brat throwing tantrums. I often wondered, why is Moses following his instructions?

Ridley Scott couldn't quite figure out how to handle the religious elements. He tried to please religious and non-religious people alike by mixing realistic explanations (and the suggestion that Moses might be insane) wih mystical tones (the death of the firstborns is supposed to be taken as granted, unlike the other plagues, which are supported with science). It's more confusing than ambiguous.

I hope there is a director's cut out there that makes Exodus: Gods and Kings the great movie that didn't make it into the theaters. As it stands now, it keeps the Ridley Scott tradition of the last 15 years: astonishing visuals undermined by disjointed and pointless storytelling.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

chugheadDec 12, 2014

Christians hold on to your crosses you may nail this one to the cross and cast the first stone at Ridley Scott for rebooting Cecil B Demill version. As for regular audiences its a watered down version of Gladiator. In general its not PassionChristians hold on to your crosses you may nail this one to the cross and cast the first stone at Ridley Scott for rebooting Cecil B Demill version. As for regular audiences its a watered down version of Gladiator. In general its not Passion of the Moses and it doesn't move you emotionally or move mountains. The director fired God and edited God's performance out of the film and replaced it with Ridley Scott's faithless gospel.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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2

antmolly1995Dec 12, 2014

There's a well worn phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Why Scott felt the need to tamper with an epic story that would/could have been thrilling and thought provoking in it's unadulterated form baffles me.

I hope this bombs at theThere's a well worn phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Why Scott felt the need to tamper with an epic story that would/could have been thrilling and thought provoking in it's unadulterated form baffles me.

I hope this bombs at the box office and forces everyone involved with this rubbish to give pause for thought.… Expand

10 of 20 users found this helpful1010

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2

lenny68Dec 12, 2014

This film would be laughable if it wasn't so depressing, and by depressing I mean Scott's blatant disregard for the Bible account he supposedly drew inspiration from.

I wish I had walked out but I was compelled by a morbid desire to seeThis film would be laughable if it wasn't so depressing, and by depressing I mean Scott's blatant disregard for the Bible account he supposedly drew inspiration from.

I wish I had walked out but I was compelled by a morbid desire to see just how bad it could get. In that respect I wasn't disappointed.

Guaranteed to frustrate, disappoint or amuse the faithful and faithless in equal measure.… Expand

9 of 18 users found this helpful99

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0

billfuller39Dec 12, 2014

Once again the white man has felt the need to bring his cavemanish buffoonery into the minds of unsuspecting citizens everywhere. The egyptians were not white as depicted in this movie. They were black. Why does hollywood have to get aholdOnce again the white man has felt the need to bring his cavemanish buffoonery into the minds of unsuspecting citizens everywhere. The egyptians were not white as depicted in this movie. They were black. Why does hollywood have to get ahold of everything and distort it? I am sorry, but after being lied to like this from the start, I could not get into this movie at all. It is an absolute trainwreck.… Expand

2 of 14 users found this helpful212

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6

epocDec 12, 2014

Unlike many, I actually thought this movie was decent. At the time of this review the user review section was just littered with 1's and 2's, resulting in an incredibly low user score of 1.9! That's lower than the Star Wars prequels! YeahUnlike many, I actually thought this movie was decent. At the time of this review the user review section was just littered with 1's and 2's, resulting in an incredibly low user score of 1.9! That's lower than the Star Wars prequels! Yeah that's messed up, and it's all probably butt hurt Ridley Scott fan boys raging because of Prometheus. The first half of this film, for me was the best. We have these two very strong brother characters; Moses played by Christian Bale and Ramses played by Joel Edgerson. The brilliant aspect is that the two clearly have conflicting ideologies, yet still love and respect each other. It adds this additional tension to every scene the two share, as your constantly wondering if an argument will erupt, but you don't that to happen because the movie does such a good job of establishing their friendship. Helping this are great performances from both, fleshing them out and making them more believable. This especially the case for Moses, which is the best aspect of this film. He's this really good, wise man who you can really root for, yet isn't some paragon of virtue that will always do the right thing. For example, initially Moses doesn't want to unleash the plagues on Egypt, as he thinks he will take more lives than he will save, which is what any normal person would think. In addition to this, Ramses is also extremely believable. Even though he seems incredibly bratty and whiny, but by the end you can relate to him. He's a good person, but is fed up of things not being perfect for him, something we've all felt at some point. Despite this, the over all narrative is incredibly generic, and does absolutely nothing to make this classic tale original, and is full of under devolved and cliche characters (apart from Ramses and Moses). Ramses father, for example, is just a huge douche bag with no real explanation of why he's like this. Also we never connect to the people Moses is trying to save, making us care more about Moses safety more than him saving everyone else. But the most disappointing part of this movie comes when it reaches the half way mark. When your expecting all that tension to just come out in a beautifully done peace of emotional drama, it decides to rush through it. Basically, it comes down to, Ramses father banishes Moses, he dies, Ramses is now in charge and is douche. Why? We don't know! It just skips on and suddenly he's his dad! I was expecting a scene where the two argue and we see their friendship being torn apart through dialogue. Now the third act could have saved the movie. As mentioned before, Moses's dilemma is extremely compelling and is so interesting. Because of this though, it kind of makes God look like the villain here. He's brashly making this decision to potentially wipe out thousands and isn't even taking into account that he might wipe out his own people in process. But the plagues! Oh my god the plagues look amazing! One of the best parts of this film is just the grand scale of Egypt and how cool it looks. And when the plagues come down it just destroys everything and it looks awesome! Their vile and disgusting, yet look really realistic. If this where to happen in real life, this is how it would look. It mixes everything to amazing CGI to excellent audio to make an immersive experience. Unfortunately, the ending is a huge let down. The parting of the Red Sea is no where near as awe inspiring or grand as it should. Worsening the taste of this last morsel is the fact that the CGI takes a big turn around. The sea looked like a darker version of the Elder Scrolls Oblivion water! Did they run out of budget? And that's it! No ending, no finally face of between the two brothers, just done. In the end Exodus ends up being a let down, yet still a great emotional drama (at least in the first half) and an entertaining watch.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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2

HarryNuggetsDec 12, 2014

Scott going through the motions yet again. Prometheus was so lazy it was an insult, so is this monument to a huge budget CGI and a director with the attention span of a 3 year old.

8 of 15 users found this helpful87

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3

adavid49Dec 12, 2014

Although this movie is far better than the 2014 account of "Noah" it seems as though the producers and the directors are trying to re-wrte the actual biblical account as to what the bible actually says in the story of Moses and the exodus ofAlthough this movie is far better than the 2014 account of "Noah" it seems as though the producers and the directors are trying to re-wrte the actual biblical account as to what the bible actually says in the story of Moses and the exodus of Israel from Egypt. Maybe they were trying to give a different story line than the Charlton Heston version of the "Ten Commandments". There was no need to do that, with all the technical advances that are available to us today, it would have been very easy to make an action packed movie that could have remained true to scripture.… Expand

7 of 11 users found this helpful74

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8

KermitLaphroaigDec 12, 2014

Exodus is a grand and complex new interpretation of the story of the Hebrews and their exodus from Egypt by legendary director Ridley Scott, known for films such as 'Alien' (1979), 'Blade Runner' (1982), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Black Hawk Down'Exodus is a grand and complex new interpretation of the story of the Hebrews and their exodus from Egypt by legendary director Ridley Scott, known for films such as 'Alien' (1979), 'Blade Runner' (1982), 'Gladiator' (2000), 'Black Hawk Down' (2001) and 'Prometheus' (2012). The film stars Christian Bale as Moses and Joel Edgerton as Ramesses.

'Exodus' breaks new ground in its depiction of epic landscapes and the glory of architecture. Ancient Egypt is reconstructed before our eyes with vast CGI vistas of pyramids and temples populated by thousands of ant-like workers. The audience truly has God's view of this panoply, looking down from above at one of the world's mightiest and most ancient civilizations. Likewise, we are given breathtaking views of mountains and the desert landscapes of Egypt as Moses wanders, first as a outcast, then as a leader of his people into the unknown wilderness. Special attention is given to the sea floor of the Red Sea as special effects wizardry reveals what lies beneath the waves as God rolls back the tides for the Hebrews.

The drama of the epic is centered around the two personalities of Moses, the adopted Egyptian prince and his natural-born brother Ramesses, the incipient Pharaoh. Bale turns in a dedicated and focused portrayal of a reluctant messiah induced by God, in the persona of a 7-year-old boy, to lead his people out of slavery. I found Joel Edgerton's Ramesses to be much more interesting. He interprets the young pharaoh as a brash, bullying, but shrewd man, born to the purple. His performance hearkens back to that of Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus in 'Gladiator', and exceeds it in power and depth. Edgerton projects a sort of visceral sense of entitlement that brings the pharaoh to life. John Turturro plays referee to two princes as the wise elder pharaoh, Seti.

The main weakness of the film is that the lack of action makes the two-and-a-half hour running time seem very drawn out. Part of the problem is the faithfulness to the long biblical narrative, and the other part is weak-willed editing. For example, there is a long sequence in which Moses wanders in the wilderness, encounters a bedouin community, marries a woman and has a child, all of which could have been safely omitted from the film. Moses' interactions with the ghetto-like Hebrew slave community in Memphis is also written and edited in a somewhat ham-handed manner, leaving actor Ben Kingsley, playing a Hebrew elder, with the raw end of the script.

The costumes and scenery of the film are a high point that set a new standard for depiction of the ancient world, going far beyond even Gladiator in their detail and authenticity. The razor-sharp cinematography and moody lighting combine to give the film a fine-art feel, like a Ruisdael painting come to life.

Overall, 'Exodus' is a rich and complex film that provides a valuable new re-telling of the Hebrew mythos.… Expand

6 of 22 users found this helpful616

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1

jimmyknoxDec 12, 2014

Frankly I'm insulted this is even being called a movie. The lack of direction and character development is astounding. Is this is supposed to be a Biblical movie? There were so many mistakes and factual incorrect scenes that it almost made meFrankly I'm insulted this is even being called a movie. The lack of direction and character development is astounding. Is this is supposed to be a Biblical movie? There were so many mistakes and factual incorrect scenes that it almost made me fall out of my set. Which is sad because the CG is actually pretty decent. In short, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone, and it should be completely redone.… Expand

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

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6

busbfranDec 12, 2014

The uninspiring story and mediocre cast may deter many however, the excellent CGI effects are the only thing going for it. Boring unoriginal direction and character development, defiantly worth a skip! If you like mother natural and animalsThe uninspiring story and mediocre cast may deter many however, the excellent CGI effects are the only thing going for it. Boring unoriginal direction and character development, defiantly worth a skip! If you like mother natural and animals tearing **** up this is your moneys worth!… Expand

6 of 12 users found this helpful66

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0

momentumDec 12, 2014

If you enjoy having your intelligence insulted then by all means watch it. Exodus was comparable to being locked up in prison on an episode of scared straight. You'll hear about how bad it is but you won't believe it until you are actuallyIf you enjoy having your intelligence insulted then by all means watch it. Exodus was comparable to being locked up in prison on an episode of scared straight. You'll hear about how bad it is but you won't believe it until you are actually there. About 30 minutes in I'd had my fill of this "Biblical" story (laughable to even call it that) and left. Before I left I was sure to splash my Pepsi on the seats in front of me to serve as a warning to any poor soul that dare see this film next.… Expand

11 of 17 users found this helpful116

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Exodus: Gods and Kings

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