Review of the Film "David" (2025)David, released on December 19, 2025 (just yesterday!), is an animated musical produced by Angel Studios that retells the biblical story of David from the Book of Samuel. Directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, with animation by Sunrise Animation Studios in South Africa, the film follows David's journey from humble shepherd boy to anointed king, culminating in his famous battle with Goliath and beyond. It features voice performances from Phil Wickham (adult David), Brandon Engman (young David), Lauren Daigle, and others, with original songs by Jonas Myrin.The StrengthsThe animation stands out as the film's biggest highlight. The visuals are stunning—detailed landscapes, flowing water, intricate textures, and vibrant colors that rival higher-budget studio productions. Many reviewers call it the best-looking faith-based animated film yet, with some comparing it favorably to classics like The Prince of Egypt.The songs are uplifting and modern, blending contemporary Christian worship style with musical theater elements. Tracks performed by artists like Phil Wickham and Lauren Daigle add emotional depth, emphasizing themes of faith, courage, and trust in God. For families and Christian audiences, it's often described as moving and inspirational, with reports of tears and a strong positive message about perseverance.The story stays relatively faithful to the Bible (covering much of 1 Samuel), while keeping things family-friendly (PG-rated) by toning down violence—Goliath's defeat is shown, but graphic details are avoided.The WeaknessesCritics note that the plot can feel rushed or episodic, cramming a lot of David's early life into 1h 55m, which leads to some omissions or simplifications. The musical numbers, while well-produced, have a "boy-band" or modern CCM vibe that doesn't appeal to everyone—some find them preachy or not as memorable as Disney-style songs.Character development outside David is limited, and a few supporting roles lean on stereotypes. Secular reviewers point out the film's overt religious messaging and sanitized portrayal of Old Testament events, calling it "preaching to the choir" or overly idealistic.Overall VerdictDavid is a solid, heartfelt entry in faith-based animation, punching above its weight in production quality and earning praise for bringing biblical stories to the big screen in an engaging way. It's particularly recommended for families, church groups, and those seeking uplifting holiday entertainment—many audience reviews rave about its beauty and inspiration.Currently, it holds a 7.6/10 on IMDb (from early ratings) and strong audience enthusiasm on Rotten Tomatoes, though full critic scores are still emerging. If you're into inspirational musicals with gorgeous animation, it's worth seeing in theaters. For a broader audience, it might feel niche due to its strong Christian focus.Rating: 7.5/10 – Beautiful and faith-affirming, but best suited to its target viewers.
.jpg)
