If you wouldn’t expect a Bible story movie using LEGOs to make a big impact, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by Exodus, a short film by The Carrolls, adapted with modern day dialogue and delivering nothing short of studio quality.
A rich, authoritative voice opens the film, setting the tone for the remainder. We soon forget the characters are mere LEGO pieces as we are ushered into the vacuous great room of a cruel Egyptian Pharaoh bellowing his disdain for the multiplying Hebrew slaves. Wails of grief follow as God’s people lose their baby boys to the blades of Pharaoh’s paranoia. We continue in the account of Moses, his life as illustrated in the Book of Exodus, from the sweet sounds of a baby’s gurgle to his pleas on Mt. Sinai to his succession by Joshua. Intriguingly, fine detail propels the film to tell the experiences of the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt. We sense the coarse texture of the shepherd’s garb, the grittiness of the city walls, the hydropower of a sea parted. We hear the frantic neighing of horses as they are engulfed by that sea. We are confronted with the anger of an arrogant Pharaoh as he perishes in a deluge of defiance of the one true God. The account of Exodus continues, beautifully narrated and voiced-over with various British dialects.
Although thoughtfully written in modern day vernacular, Exodus sticks to the facts of the Book. And one fact is that Old Testament violence wasn’t pretty. This effective film is layered with detail so copious that the images conveyed could actually be disturbing to young children. Quite a bit of blood, human and animal, is used, supported by realistic sound effects. We witness a full stabbing and experience the slicing sacrifice of little white lambs. Since we want kids to come back for more (Bible, that is), this descriptive film is probably not the preferred bedtime video for those under 9 or so. That said, the tremendous effort put into building complex and interesting models, costumes and sets, the superior voice overs, intriguing sound effects and compelling score make for a very entertaining educational piece. Creative cinematography supplements the story, using fore, mid and deep space well, and brings everything together.
Exodus is a surprisingly refreshing work. Part of that is the dimension of realism it offers, but which also makes it a bit traumatic for small children. You’ll probably think differently about LEGOs from now on! Families with children nine and older, and youth groups would appreciate this film, learning about the Hebrews’ struggles in and out of Egypt. This film is Dove-Approved for Ages 12+.
The Dove Take:
This magnificently produced film is a portrayal of the Book of Exodus and the Hebrews’ historical rescue from Egypt. Although its characters are created with LEGOs, this film isn’t for the very young child.
