Most folks are very familiar of the story in which Moses rises up against the Pharaoh Ramses and leading thousands of Hebrews slaves out of Egypt to freedom. The story is not changed, however, director Ridley Scott is taking, what I like to call, “The Michael Bay” approach in crafting the biggest, loudest, and longest retelling of this scripture in probably ancient history (ironic?)

Obviously there is a certain gimmick in seeing this story again (or else I would not have been intrigued) an allure, if you will. And indeed well within the bounds of the films massive scale and texture – the visual effects department (the only Oscar nomination this movie deserves) is spot on. The film as a whole (penned by Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Jeffrey Cain, and Steve Zaillian all credited as writers) feels like a waste of space, and time. Is it because the film casts white americans as Egyptians? or that King Ramses wears more makeup than your mother? no – these sins I can forgive of Scott.

No, where the problem lies is in the films lengthy runtime, (anti-climactic) battle sequences, and a PG13 rating. I mean you’re going to plaster the name “From The Director of Gladiator” a movie known for it’s bloody brawl fights, exposed tigers ripping apart men, and colossal attention to detail …and then rate the film PG13. Sorry, I don’t think that helped the cause.

Directing films like “Blade Runner”, “Aliens” and “Prometheus” – Scott has established himself as one of the more visionary directors working today. “Exodus” feels like a departure from the once best director nominee. Who knows what Scott was trying to accomplish, fellow Gladiator star Russell Crowe starred in Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic “Noah” earlier this year – which was equally massive in scale, but was actually consistent with the source material, it evoked emotion and depth.

In “Exodus” the plagues are the only memorable thing. You’re definitely not going to forget crocodiles eating away at themselves until the nile turns red, or a harpoon of digitally enhanced frogs hopping through corridors, and filling a city. Not to mention the over abundance of maggots – and flies that actually made me cringe. The digital effects are used heavily – except the wretched boils on the faces, pretty sure those are real.

Christian Bale played off Moses rather abnormally, I never felt as though he stepped into his role. Equally Joel Edgerton never had the velocity and tone that made King Ramses threatening (although that bald head did remind me of Dr. Evil). The rest of cast is entirely underutilized; Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, and Aaron Paul are all in the movie, you just would probably never know it. Scott stretches them all over the place – and between the three (talented actors) there is maybe ten minutes of actual screen time (less if there talking). I mean Joshua is supposed to be the leader of the slaves for Moses, and Aaron Paul is reduced to a torching sidekick – a waste of presence.

The battle sequences are engaging enough, and fun to watch, but Scott has truly stepped down from his most sincere and appreciated work. Some folks may call “Exodus” a blockbuster, but what truly sets this apart from the rest, is the prone and understanding that staging is everything. And that maybe sometimes less is more.

C-

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Rated: PG13

Run-time: 150 mins

Studio: Fox

Release Date: December 12th 2014

Thanks For Stopping By.