'Light of the World': A Family-Friendly Adventure Filled with Heart

Disclosure: Many thanks to Salvation Poem for providing a digital screener for this review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Computers can be a useful tool; heck, I’m typing this very post on one right now. They’ve undeniably reshaped the animation landscape, both for better and worse. Classic hand-drawn 2D animation feels like a relic, a sparkling gem mostly lost to the age of CGI and rapid digital production. But here comes a refreshing breeze: the new Christian animated film, The Light of the World, hitting theaters today, September 5th, is boldly stepping back into the 2D animation realm. As noted on the film’s website, lightoftheworld.com, “Hand-drawn animation is a timeless medium that retains its beauty over many decades. It contains all the subtle flaws we’ve come to call 'human.'” What a beautiful sentiment! It’s a fitting tribute to Jesus—the only flawless figure to ever tread this Earth.

Directed by the talented John Schafer, known for producing the beloved program Superbook (which, I must confess, I had not heard of until now), and alongside animator Tom Bancroft, who has a rich history with Disney, having worked on masterpieces like The Lion King, Mulan, and Beauty and the Beast, this film is the inaugural offering from the Salvation Poem Project—a ministry dedicated to spreading the message of Christ to the world.

So, what’s the story, you ask? Picture this: it’s 30 AD, and the air is charged with anticipation as everyone eagerly awaits the Messiah. Jesus might not fit the mold of their expectations, but there’s an undeniable aura about this man. Soon enough, John, James, Andrew, Peter, and a gaggle of others embark on an unexpected adventure. This beautifully animated tale of Jesus unfolds through the innocent eyes of his close friend, the Apostle John, cleverly capturing the essence of Jesus’ ministry, including his crucifixion and resurrection. Light of the World powerfully illustrates how Jesus of Nazareth transformed the world and continues to inspire lives today.

Movieguide describes it well: “It stresses faith, family, and trusting in God’s plan.” The film is said to be “beautifully animated and entertaining... based entirely on the Bible.”

Now, here’s my two cents on Light of the World. Keep in mind, I’m just two days shy of turning 44, which, let’s be honest, likely makes me the least ideal audience for this film. It's geared toward younger children or Christian families—essentially, it’s a children’s animated feature. Clocking in at 90 minutes, I find myself wondering if kids these days hold the attention span to withstand that much screen time. Honestly, I don’t have any kids, but I was a child once—at least that’s what I keep telling my friends—so I can intuitively feel that the runtime could use some trimming. There are stretches of melodrama that distract from the central faith messages, which is a shame.

The plot is a retelling of a timeless story—the greatest story ever told—albeit through the perspective of a child. That’s a smart choice, as young viewers can easily connect with the protagonist. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice an abundance of callbacks to ’90s Disney tropes, especially with the cinematic villain: the high priest. You’d recognize him in an instant, thanks to the sinister music that practically howls his malicious intent every time he appears. He bizarrely resembles Jafar, but hey, maybe my eyesight is failing me as I creep into middle age.

Look, I’ll be honest: Light of the World has its quirks and faults, but I must remind myself this film wasn’t crafted for my grown-up sensibilities. It was designed for kids, and for that demographic, it strikes most of the right chords. It’s engaging and laced with uplifting messages throughout its 90-minute journey. I just hope young viewers can maintain their focus for that long—what do I know? ╌★★★½✩

So, if you’re looking for something family-friendly to entertain the little ones, Light of the World is currently gracing theaters. There aren’t a ton of new children’s films out right now, especially ones with a heartwarming message, so I genuinely recommend that parents take their kids. Just keep in mind, theaters can be a wallet-draining venture these days. However, if you can muster a group of 10 or more, you can snag group tickets for just $7.50 per person. Not too shabby! For more details, dive deeper into the world of the film at lightoftheworld.com.

〜B.J. Burgess