Gods of Egypt Parent Guide

The first question I had on my mind after exiting Gods of Egypt is how did someone manage to get $140 million dollars to make this movie? That’s not to say it’s a waste of your time, but it is a throwaway film—albeit a good throwaway. Kind of like those high-priced paper plates you buy for your grandmother’s birthday party, which are lavishly decorated for their one moment on display—prior to being covered up with a slump of Jell-O salad.

So what did director Alex Proyas do with this cash? First he pulled in some big name actors and cleavage-baring actresses—a staple of the swords and sandals genre. (His decision to portray Egyptians with an all-white cast did attract the wrath of some critics.) Next he purchased digital effects in a bulk pack so he could paint every scene with an ostentatious display of an outlandish ancient world where oversized gods with gold in their veins walk amidst the smaller mortals. Then, surprisingly, he added a bit of a plot.

The story is about two gods, Set (Gerard Butler) and Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who are vying for their right to rule on Earth. Set is the one we don’t want to win. His hubris extends to even attempting to dethrone his own father (Geoffrey Rush)—the sun god Ra who rules in the heavens above aboard what appears to be a spaceship?!

The hero Horus has some foibles too. Usually drunk and disorderly, he is forced to grow up and behave more god-like when his kingdom, girlfriend (the goddess of love played by Elodie Yung) and eyesight are ripped away (there is a disturbing scene where Set plucks out Horus’ eyes). But getting his power and position back will require the disgraced god to humble himself enough to rely on the help of a disrespectful mortal (Brenton Thwaites) named Bek. Although the young man’s most valuable asset is his prowess as a thief, his deep affection for his sweetheart (Courtney Eaton) and determination to be reunited with her proves to be an inspiration to the struggling, self-centered Horus.

If you go into Gods of Egypt expecting little, you’ll be more likely to enjoy the outcome. If nothing else, it is amazing to simply look at. And somewhere amid the many battles and lengthy confrontations are examples of forgiveness, sacrifice, self-improvement and courage that are worth emulating.

Of course to find these valuable nuggets you’ll have to sift through depictions of fantastical beings and creatures engaged in hand-to-hand fighting, stabbings and impaling. There are also portrayals of dismemberment and decapitation. However the blood effects are mostly limited to the members of deity who bleed copious amounts of gold as they lie dying. As well, the script includes sexual innuendo and a bedroom scene with a topless man and woman (explicit details are avoided with deft camera angles).

Hardly “must see” cinema, Gods of Egypt‘s visual preeminence is best appreciated on a big screen. And because it wasn’t your $140 million that went into making this production, the price of admission may be worth a fun “popcorn matinee” experience with your older kids.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.