From Angel Studios come the story of a shepherd who becomes a king. The life of David seems almost so fantastical that it’s often used as one of the first Sunday School stories kids learn. A man blessed by God, takes out a giant with a slingshot to save his people. David, from Angel Studios, is coming to theaters Dec 19 staring a wonderful Christian musician, Phil Wickman. This movie is inspired by the books 1st and 2nd Samuel from the Holy Bible, where God anoints a new follower to lead a nation.
I was able to see this film early, and here is what I thought! While we may know the story of David, please note: there will be SPOILERS below.
As a Christian, I am always a little nervous to watch films based off of books from the Bible. Questions about liberties and adding to an already well known story makes me shy away from such films. However, ever since I saw the trailer to David, I was more than curious to see the direction that the creators take the story.
The movie begins with a young David tending to his family’s sheep. When one of the sheep goes into labor, David must protect the mommy-to-be from any and all threats. Of course, David finds himself face-to-face with a hungry lion that wants to eat the sheep. In an act of bravery and courage, David takes on the lion. This is a nod to the Bible where David speaks to Saul about how he could take out Goliath with God’s help like he takes out the bears and lions to protect the sheep. Oddly enough, in the opening scene of this movie, David doesn’t destroy or kill the lion. He actually saves the lion. So the nod is sort of a half note.
We could try and say, “well this is a kids film, therefore, showing David kill a lion would be a little too much for such a young audience.” And I may have agreed with that statement before I saw the rest of the film. However, the movie David, does not hide death. It embraces war, destruction, and the turmoil that David had to face in his life. So having David save a lion is an odd choice, especially since the Bible references how David never faltered in keeping his sheep safe. The creators may have been trying to show how caring and benevolent David was, as a child, in order to show that he was chosen by God. Not fully Biblical, but, cinematically, it tells the story.
I think that the choice to save the lion is a dropped opportunity. The death of the lion would have been a perfect foreshadowing for the death of Goliath. Cinematically this action would have made sense. The audience could have seen that, by God’s will and with God’s help, David had the strength and courage to take down any foes that threatened the lives of his sheep or his people.
However, this lost opportunity is a minor complaint, because the first half of the movie is fantastic. From stone, to sling, to Goliath’s death, this series of scenes has a perfect pace. I found myself enthralled with the movement and the story, even though I knew what was going to happen! I will admit, Goliath getting hit in the forehead and falling face first into the dirt, dead, was a bit shocking. With the rescue of the lion, I half expected the creators to allude to Goliath’s death. NOPE. No punches are pulled. There is no screen movement to the side and using a shadow, no covering up the death of this beast. While blood is not depicted, the audience watches the life leave Goliath’s face as he takes his last breath, and, in the most dishonorable way possible, he falls forward to his demise. We all know the story, we know that Goliath dies, and we know how he dies, but to see it happen in a cartoon, with child-like art, in a movie that is meant for kids, was insane.
I should note that due to the death scenes, scary masked enemies, and intense battles, David is rated PG. Don’t let the fact that this is a cartoon fool you. The story of David involves some very dark times, and this movie shines a light on the battles and the inner-battles of the characters. Knowing that the story of David is intense, the co-directors made sure to add some comedy here and there. Each of Jesse’s sons all have a fun personality that helps lighten the mood. You have an emo child that doesn’t want to do anything, a child that over eats when stressed, a child with a heart full of laughter, and a sister who is head strong and desires to be a princess.
A character that also brings a lot of light to the film is David’s mom. I find it commendable that the creators make her such a prominent figure in David’s life. He looks to her and his dad when things get tough. This not only gives the audience hope but establishes a good foundation for family values. Through patience, understanding, and love, the family helps each other through these difficult times.
While these scenes may not be biblical (the characters attributes of each son and mom are not described in the Bible), it adds to a plucky comic relief and some story building to keep the adventure moving forward. I found myself laughing at each emo collapse and could totally feel the distain for chores. hahaha
Honestly, after the death of Goliath, the movie David, felt as if it ended. The celebration took place and all seem right in the world. But the life of David is a much larger story than just a slingshot and a dead giant. With a montage of David growing up and learning to fight as a soldier, the audience is introduced to a much older David. Here the movie’s child-like persona takes a drastic 180. While it’s still a cartoon and meant for a younger audience, the hope and innocence felt in the first half of the film is lost. If this was on purpose, to show the passing of time, and taking the audience on this wild ride, well done. I, however, found it a little jarring and I found myself wishing for more of David’s younger years.
Alas, even for those of us now, we can only pine for the days of our youth, and David must move forward with God as his guide. The second half of David takes several chapters of the Bible and combines them into a near 60 minute story. I can only imagine the conversations around the collaborator’s table as the creators debate what would be the most important to include in the story of David. His youth, we all now it has to be the story of David and Goliath. But his adult years had attempted murder, escapes, true love, marriage, brotherly love, evil spirits, Amalekites, Philistines, and so much more! This had to have been one of the most difficult decisions facing the creation of this film.
Short story short, the creators had to take certain liberties to get the story told and to elevate the danger David faced. From Saul attempting to murder David, to David watching everything he loved fall apart. the second half of this movie is intense, I don’t know how it can be considered ok for a younger audience. It’s almost too intense for me. The co-directors, Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, successfully rip all of the emotions out of my chest, stomp on my heart, and thrust it across the desert. The suffering that David faces due to Saul’s anger and stupidity is nothing short of heartbreaking, and this emotional trauma is captured on screen and sent in waves to those watching.
Personally, I think Phil Cunningham, Brent Dawes, and those associated with David could have made a small series of films to better depict the life of David. So much happens in the later years, that, while the second half is emotionally impactful, we miss so much of what actually happened to David. Especially when it comes to the death of Saul and how David becomes King.
David is a great example of how to tell the story of David and Goliath. As Christians, we need to recognize that some of the story has changed. But what hasn’t changed is the story about how God protected David, gave him strength and courage, and eventually made him king. Trusting in God is the ultimate lesson, and the film drives that message home.
My word of warning: If you have kids that are more sensitive to murder, death, intense scenes, and other dark attributes, don’t take them blindly to see this film. Watch it first and make an educated decision on whether or not your child will be able to handle this film. David features the death of Goliath, Saul attempting to murder David, David on the run, creepy people in skull masks attempting to kill everyone, scary hallucinations and evil spirits, kidnapping, sharpening of a knife to cut the throat of David, war, the dramatic death of Johnathan, and so much more. The music doesn’t work to lighten these scenes, but instead, enhances the dangers and the potential fear.
David is a great movie featuring the story of David but be sure to be a guide for your kids. Make sure they can handle this film and definitely use the movie to talk more about the actual store and life of King David.
More about David
DIRECTED BY: Phil Cunningham, Brent Dawes
WRITTEN BY: Brent Dawes
STARRING: Phil Wickham, Brandon Engman, Brian Stivale
PRODUCED BY: Jacqui Cunningham, Phil Cunningham, Tim Keller, Rita Mbanga, Steve Pegram
RUN TIME: 112 minutes
RATED: PG
SYNOPSIS: From the songs of his mother’s heart to the whispers of a faithful God, David’s story begins in quiet devotion. When the giant Goliath rises to terrorize a nation, a young shepherd armed with only a sling, a few stones, and unshakable faith steps forward. Pursued by power and driven by purpose, his journey tests the limits of loyalty, love, and courage—culminating in a battle not just for a crown, but for the soul of a kingdom.
