“The King of Kings” is reminiscent of a “Classics Illustrated” comic book.

The comic books, from 1941 - 1969, and 1989 to the present, render classics of literature in comic-book form. Were they the first graphic novels?

The concept would seem to be self-defeating. What makes a book a classic of western literature cannot always be reduced to comic-book panels and word balloons.

Similarly, “The King of Kings,” though not a comic book nor based on a comic book, simplifies one of most tragic, yet hopeful, stories of literature, mankind, the world and the universe to an animated film of cartoon characters representing Jesus, his disciples and especially those in the story of his final days, leading up to what became the modern-day Christian holidays of Good Friday and Easter.

Streamlining the story in “The King of Kings” places the emphasis on the animation, which is often quite beautiful in backgrounds and settings, and imbues Jesus and the disciples with a cartoon familiarity that will be accessible to children, presumably the intended audience for the animated feature film.

In this, “The King of Kings” is a good introduction to the epic Biblical story.

We should note that the events leading up to and including the crucifixion depicted in “The King of Kings” are nearly bloodless, compared to the movies, “The Passion of the Christ” (2004), directed by Mel Gibson, “The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988), directed by Martin Scorsese, and “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965), directed by George Stevens.

As with the Classics Illustrated comic books, the film, “The King of Kings,” can be a story board for a discussion of the film and a spring board to a reading of the primary-source material, in this case, the Bible.

“The King of Kings” is based on Charles Dickens’ “The Life of our Lord” (1846-1849), which he wrote for his children and would read it to them every Christmas.

Dickens (1812 - 1870) is the British author of “The Pickwick Papers,” “Oliver Twist,” “Nicholas Nickleby,” “A Christmas Carol,” “David Copperfield,” “Bleak House,” “Little Dorrit,” “A Tale of Two Cities” and “Great Expectations.”

Dickens forbid the publication of “The Life of our Lord” during his lifetime. After the death of Dickens’ surviving son Henry, the book was published in 1934 as a serial in newspapers in England and the United States. Dickens’ manuscript for “The Life of our Lord” was presented in 1964 to the Free Library of Philadelphia where it is to this day.

Charles Dickens (voiced by Kenneth Branagh) appears as a cartoon character in “The King Of Kings.” Dickens is giving a reading of “A Christmas Carol” to an audience in a theater. He’s interrupted by the backstage shenanigans of his son Walter (Roman Griffin Davis), who is play-acting as King Arthur.

Dickens’ wife Catherine (Uma Thurman) recommends that her husband tell to Walter the story of “an even greater king, Jesus Christ.”

The Biblical story unfolds with Walter and his pet cat eaves-dropping as they appear in scenes from the Bible’s New Testament, including the Nativity, Ministry and miracles, the Passion, and the Resurrection.

In addition to the impressive animation, “The King of Kings” boasts good character voices, especially that of Oscar Isaac as Jesus.

Other actors doing character voices include Mark Hamill (King Herod), Pierce Brosnan (Pontius Pilate), Forest Whitaker (Peter) and Ben Kingsley (High Priest Caiaphas).

“The King of Kings” is directed by Seong-ho Jang, a Korean visual effects artist in his feature film directorial debut.

The screenplay is written by Seong-ho Jang, Rob Edwards (screenplay, “Captain America: Brave New World,” 2024; Prime Time Emmy nominee, writing, ”In Living Color,” 1990), Jamie Thompson (four-time Daytime Emmy nominee; Daytime Emmy winner, animated program, “Teachers’ Pet,” 2002) and Hoseok Sung.

The film’s end titles include the song, “Live Like That,” performed by Kristin Chenoweth and written by the film’s soundtrack composer Kim Tae-Seong.

“The King of Kings” is a welcome addition to the Bible Jesus story genre. The film can especially be enjoyed by families of faith.

“The King of Kings,” PG (Parental guidance suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children) for thematic material, violent content and some scary moments; Genre: Family, Animation; Run time: 1 hour, 43 minutes. Distributed by Angel Studios.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “The King Of Kings” is also known as “El Rey de Reyes.”

At The Movies: “The King Of Kings” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Domestic Weekend Box Office, April 16-18: “Sinners,” with Ryan Coogler directing Michael B. Jordan in dual roles in the horror film, opened at No. 1 with $45.6 million in 3,308 theaters, ending the two-week No. 1 run of “A Minecraft Movie,” dropping one place to No. 2 with $41.3 million in 4,032 theaters, $344.6 million, three weeks.

3. “The King of Kings” dropped one place, $17.2 million in 3,535 theaters, $45.3 million, two weeks. 4. “The Amateur” dropped one place, $7.2 million in 3,400 theaters, $27.3 million, two weeks. 5. “Warfare” dropped one place, $4.8 million in 2,670 theaters, $17.1 million, two weeks. 6. “Drop” dropped one place, $3.3 million in 3,089 theaters, $13.4 million, two weeks. 7. “Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing,” a Japanese animated musical based on the game, “Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!,” $2.7 million in 800 theaters, opening. 8. “Pride & Prejudice: 20th Anniversary Re-Release,” $2.7 million in 1,393 theaters, opening. 9. “The Chosen: Last Supper Part 3” dropped three places, $1.6 million in 653 theaters, $11 million, two weeks. 10. “Snow White” dropped two places, $1.7 million in 1,650 theaters, $84.5 million, five weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of April 20 is subject to change.

Unreel, April 25:

“The Accountant 2,” R: Gavin O’Connor directs Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson and J.K. Simmons in the Action Thriller. A government official’s murder is investigated.

“The Legend of Ochi,” PG: Isaiah Saxon directs Helena Zengel, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson and Finn Wolfhard in the Adventure Fantasy. A girl attempts to reunite a feared forest creature, an Ochi, with its family.

“The Shrouds,” R: David Cronenberg directs Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt in the Science-Fiction Horror film. A device connects with the deceased.

“Four Letters of Love,” No MPAA rating: Polly Steele directs Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne in the Drama. The movie is based on Niall Williams’ best-selling novel about a couple in love.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of April 20 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes