Light of the World

by Mike McGranaghan

Light of the World is somehow the second animated movie I’ve seen this year about Jesus Christ, following Angel Studios’ The King of Kings. Of the two, this is the superior one. Co-director Tom Bancroft is a veteran Disney animator who worked on Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mulan. His grasp of 2D animation is a boon, as it captures a specific type of visual charm we don’t see very often anymore. This faith-based production is fun and entertaining, while still taking Christ’s life seriously.

The central character is obviously Jesus (voiced by Ian Hanlin), but the story is told through the eyes of Apostle John (Benjamin Jacobson). As presented here, John is a young boy who hears about – and is fascinated by – word of Jesus spreading a message of love. He’s there for the early days of Christ’s ministry, then eventually for his crucifixion and resurrection.

Parents are going to greatly appreciate Light of the World. The movie is particularly useful in the way it makes the meaning of Christ’s mission understandable for young audiences. John asks the questions children might actually ask about these Biblical events. The crucifixion, in particular, can be confusing and intense for kiddos, leaving parents bewildered about how to explain it in non-traumatic terms. A delicate screenplay conveys the whole arc of Jesus’s life in a manner that emphasizes the inspiring parts without dwelling on the brutality of his death.

The 2D animation has a glorious old-school feel that’s akin to those ‘90s Disney classics Bancroft helped make. It’s consistently beautiful to look at. Colors are vibrant and the design of the characters is appealing, which will help pull kids into the story. Humor achieves the same result. There are several good-natured laughs incorporated into the plot, most of them revolving around John’s youthful exuberance.

Again, children are the target audience, so there’s age-appropriate simplification at play. You obviously don’t get the intricate details a film aimed at adults would provide. But that’s okay because kids need a movie of their own to bring the Greatest Story Ever Told to life. Light of the World is a joyful celebration of who Jesus was and why he remains an important figure for so many.

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