Diana Barnes

David plays in Fort Collins theaters, including the AMC on Horsetooth Road.

Sometimes, the smallest heroes make the biggest impact, as seen in the case of “David.” Released in December, this PG-rated family-friendly film grossed $72 million worldwide.

The film earned $22 million on its opening weekend. A project that took 30 years to complete, Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham directed the movie under Angel Studios.

On December 19th, “David” opened, telling a reimagined biblical story through an animated movie directed for younger audiences. The movie follows a young shepherd boy named David, who relies on faith to navigate difficult situations while highlighting multiple moral lessons throughout.

To begin, the visuals were effective but not flashy. It did its job in the sense of animation, but didn’t catch my attention from the beginning. However, I did appreciate the shadows and darker settings during more impactful scenes.

What made this film more enjoyable to watch was the musical aspect. The song “Follow the Light” was a favorite thanks to the orchestra, which felt uplifting. Although the 11 other songs aren’t as impactful as “Follow the Light,” they are still as upbeat and engaging.

The positive aspect of this film was the meaningful themes. Concepts such as faith, courage, and leadership shaped David’s life and influenced him to make choices, like battling giants or interacting with King Saul.

A drawback of this movie was the underdeveloped characters. The movie prioritized David’s story over any other character, and it felt like other characters, like his family, didn’t have meaning or value to add to his life. Although David’s mother had some impactful scenes, she had limited screen time, which made her story feel underdeveloped.

Faith is the biggest theme that stands out to me, as it’s centered around David’s trust in his beliefs and values. His faith is presented during hardships, whether it’s facing battles or people who are against his beliefs. Audiences can connect with David’s journey in faith, especially when people are challenged, and their decisions are based on their own values.

Overall, “David” was a positive moviegoing experience as it inspires me to learn more about my values and beliefs. By showing David’s challenges and how he overcame them, it inspires me to become a better person by being more present and understanding of those around me.

If I had to give a rating to this film, I would say a four out of five, as it’s not for everyone, but it still left a lasting impression for me. In the end, “David” encourages perseverance and courage during hard situations, and it was an engaging retelling of a classic biblical story.