David (2025) [Movie Review] — A Musical Adventure of Faith, Courage, and Destiny

David (directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes; written by Brent Dawes, Kyle Portbury, and Sam Wilson) is a Hollywood animated musical adventure that aims to make the biblical story of David accessible to family audiences and the wider mainstream. Produced by Sunrise Productions and released by Angel Studios, the film blends big-screen animation polish with Broadway-style songs and a surprisingly human take on an ancient hero.

Premise & Plot

Shepherd, slingshot, psalms — the familiar story reborn

The film follows David’s arc from a sheep-tending boy to a celebrated warrior and poet. Early scenes establish his kindness and curiosity — rescuing a trapped lion, caring for his flock — before the prophet anoints him and his destiny accelerates. The David-and-Goliath set piece remains a highlight: Goliath’s towering menace plays against David’s quiet bravery, and the triumph feels earned. The movie keeps closely tethered to the Books of Samuel while dressing characters in modern idioms, which helps the myth feel lived-in rather than distant.

Voice Cast & Performances

A cast that lets characters breathe, not celebrity voices

One of the film’s smartest choices is relying on lesser-known voices. Brandon Engman gives David an earthy sincerity as a youth, while Phil Wickham’s adult vocals register soulfulness during the film’s more reflective, musical moments. Asim Chaudhry and other ensemble members add texture and comic beats where needed. The decision to avoid A-list stunt casting helps the audience accept the characters rather than the actors behind them — a welcome restraint in contemporary animation.

Animation & Visuals

Vivid, cinematic animation that borrows from big studios

Sunrise Productions delivers visuals that often rival mainstream studio work: bright color palettes, detailed character models, and dynamic action choreography. The film’s rendering of ancient landscapes and battle set-pieces manages to be both grand and intimate; Goliath’s design, in particular, calls on video-game scale menace to heighten stakes. At times, the film echoes the visual spirit of The Prince of Egypt, The Lion King, and Mulan, but it keeps its own identity through richly textured lighting and meticulous background work.

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Music & Songs

A musical heart that lifts the narrative

Songs are central to David, and many land memorably. Numbers like the mother-son duet “Tapestry,” the upbeat “Follow the Light,” and the stirring “I Will Not Be Afraid” not only entertain but push character and theme forward. The music integrates David’s historical role as a psalmist and musician into the storytelling, giving emotional depth to moments of triumph and doubt. Expect hummable melodies and occasional lyrical poignancy that might translate well to stage adaptation.

Direction & Writing

Faithful yet accessible — sometimes too modern for its own good

Co-directors Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham and their writers succeed in balancing scripture fidelity with accessible dialogue and contemporary humor. The modernized speech patterns and cultural references make the story approachable but occasionally undercut period tone — a deliberate tradeoff that will please many viewers and jolt purists. The pacing is generally strong, though the film flirts with being a touch precious in quieter beats.

Themes & Takeaway

Leadership, faith, and the making of a man

At its best, David explores what leadership and courage look like: humility paired with conviction, and music as a means of spiritual articulation. The film invites families to discuss moral complexity, jealousy, and destiny in an age-appropriate way, while offering enough spectacle to satisfy younger viewers.

Final Verdict

An earnest, well-crafted family musical with broad appeal

David is a visually impressive, musically rich retelling that mostly succeeds at bringing an ancient story into contemporary theater multiplexes. It occasionally leans too modern for purists, but its heart — and its memorable set pieces — make it a strong, crowd-pleasing entry in faith-adjacent animation.

Rating: 7.5 / 10

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Who Should Watch It

Families, fans of animated epics, and viewers curious about faith-based storytelling told with mainstream ambition

If you enjoyed animated musicals like The Prince of Egypt or character-driven epics such as The Lion King, David is likely to resonate — especially if you appreciate strong music and big, cinematic animation.