Review: Pacing issues, story problems suck the energy out of ‘Exodus’

Posted on December 19, 2014

By MARK VIOLA

This has definitely been a year for Bible movies, with two of the most famous Old Testament stories getting big-budget adaptations, first Darren Aronofsky’s controversial take on Noah, and now Ridley Scott’s action-filled “Exodus: Gods and Kings.”

Those offended by the liberties taken by Aronofsky in “Noah” have probably approached “Exodus” with a certain level of trepidation, wondering what Scott would do with the story of Moses and the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. So before going any further, I will say there are no rock giants in “Exodus.”

“Exodus” has its moments, but suffers from significant pacing issues and some odd casting decisions which keep the movie from gaining that “epic” feeling the story of Moses should have.

“Exodus” does have the look of an epic adventure, with grand sets and vast deserts, but the script simply can’t deliver. Honestly, by the time the film gets to the crossing of the Red Sea, I was almost hoping that the rock giants would show up to help the Hebrews across, if only to add some energy back into the story. Although purists will probably enjoy this one much more than “Noah,” it’s really no contest which film is actually the better movie.

The film is rated PG-13 for violence including battle sequences and intense images.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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