David Review: Animated Biblical Musical Offers Upbeat Worship

The animated biblical musical 'David' presents a rendition of the story of King David, featuring upbeat worship songs and PG-approved battles, though its character development and musical elements are noted as weaker aspects. The film's animation is described as better than average, contributing to its entertainment value, particularly during the significant confrontation between David and the giant Goliath. However, the reviewer suggests that David is portrayed more as a boyband figure with voluminous bouffant hair than a rock-and-roll icon, and the worship songs are considered a significant weak link in the overall production. The film is explicitly identified as Christian cinema, often adopting a preachy tone, which may influence audience reception based on their tolerance for religious themes.

The narrative follows the biblical account where David, a shepherd boy, is anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king of Israel. David initially expresses disinterest in the kingship, a sentiment Samuel interprets as a qualification for the role. The pivotal moment of David's victory over Goliath occurs relatively early in the film. Goliath, voiced by Kamran Nikhad, is introduced through sound before his visual appearance, with the ground trembling as David, voiced by Brandon Engman, steps onto the battlefield. Armed with only a slingshot and a stone, David achieves a surprise victory. Following this triumph, David is brought to the royal palace by the reigning King Saul to reside there. The film's pacing and focus on the early stages of David's rise to prominence are central to its plot structure.

While the film offers moments of unexpected entertainment, particularly in its depiction of the large-scale battles, the character of David himself is critiqued for a lack of depth. This deficiency is seen as distracting from the overall viewing experience, despite the visual appeal of the animation and the action sequences. The musical numbers, intended to convey religious messages and advance the plot, are identified as a point of criticism, with their quality impacting the film's effectiveness. The reviewer posits that the enjoyment of 'David' is contingent upon the viewer's receptiveness to its overt Christian messaging and musical style. The film's approach to the biblical narrative aims to engage a younger audience while conveying spiritual themes through song and visual storytelling, though the execution of these elements receives mixed evaluation.