‘David’ Movie Review – Is It Worth Watching?

David is an animated action-adventure based on the biblical books of 1 and 2 Samuel, centring on one of the most epic heroic figures in scripture. While David’s story is an obvious choice for a cinematic adaptation, the burning question is how to approach it. Should it be built for all ages or for adults only? The story itself has the unique potential to capture the audiences of both How to Train Your Dragon and Gladiator.

In many ways, this heartfelt and inspiring family film from Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes feels like a blend of both. It features stunning visuals that rival and occasionally surpass the brilliance of How to Train Your Dragon, alongside the grandeur, spectacle and sword-and-sandal majesty of Gladiator. Instead of a dragon, this film centres on David’s immense faith, which guides him through his quest. It starts with his menial job as a shepherd before venturing into his prophetic anointment as the future king of Israel. The adventure quickly upscales as David steps into this God-ordained prophecy, subverting expectations by outshining his many older brothers.

As an underdog who defies the odds, David grows in both stature and maturity, eventually commanding loyalty and respect as a young man. Initially brought in to entertain King Saul, he quickly rises through the ranks as a trusted ally before being perceived as competition for the throne. Given the film’s musical elements, casting Phil Wickham in the lead vocal role is an inspired decision. Known for his powerful anthem ‘Battle Belongs’, Wickham channels a similar “David energy” into his performances, bringing a youthful verve, fearless spirit and big heart that make him ideal for the role.

This animated adventure has been lovingly crafted, proving as visually ornate as it is lush in its sound design. The film could easily double as a stage musical, carrying catchy yet meaningful numbers that entertain while propelling the story forward. While it covers major encounters like the rivalry with Goliath, the film’s handling of violence is quite gentle – even when dealing with the nightmarish Midianites and legions of Philistines. The narrative admittedly takes some poetic license and isn’t a perfectly accurate rendition of the biblical text, but it stays entirely true to its spirit.

“I am not, but I know I Am.”

Ultimately, David is an impressive all-rounder. It captures the soaring spirit of adventure found in How to Train Your Dragon while maintaining the soulful gravitas to stir emotions much like Gladiator. While one might ordinarily expect a Bible adaptation to be geared strictly toward faith-based audiences, this tale is far from preachy. It simply allows David to be himself amid the bitter rivalries and petty jealousy surrounding him. It’s a joy to watch him grow into his sandals, surrounded by a vibrant cast of characters from the books of Samuel.

This project sets a high bar for future biblical adaptations, boasting the visual splendour associated with high-end modern animation, supported by excellent sound design and a triumphant, heartwarming story. It’s a winning combination. While the supporting ensemble characters might not be as deep as you would hope and the ending is fairly open-ended, the heart and quality of the production shines through and there are moments where you completely forget you are watching computer animation.

David is a crowd-pleasing, entertaining and heartfelt spectacle that checks all the right boxes. Though it may not be quite as original or as soaring or soulful as its primary influences, the mere fact that it warrants comparison to them makes it well worth a watch.

The bottom line: Triumphant