A couple of Disney veterans and some big screen animation newcomers combined their talents for “Light of the World,” a polished, kid-friendly and even lighthearted Life of Jesus animated film.
“Mulan” and “Aladdin” veterans Tom Bancroft (co-director) and Tony Bancroft (animation director) ensure that the production has that Disney sheen. And Katie Sung Lee’s angular, chiseled character design and Luke Lehenbauer’s production design reminded me of “Emperor’s New Groove.”
That’s kind of the tone, too, a “Messiah’s New Groove.” And yes, that’s glid and flippant. But it fits.
When Jesus (voiced by Ian Hanlin) helps brothers James (Dylan Leonard) and John (Benjamin Jacobson) and their friend Andrew (Vincent Tong) improve their dad’s catch on the Sea of Galilee, a “Jaws” joke is in order.
“We’re gonna need a BIGGER boat!”
When tweenaged John is trapped by a centurion (Colin Murdock) whom he’s embarassed, the kid knows just what to yell to distract the Roman.
“LOOK! Two babies and a WOLF!”
The story is told from the young disciple John’s point of view, and he becomes a witness and participant in a brisk dash through some of Jesus’s Greatest Hits — water into wine, the fishing boat miracle, teaching Peter (Sam Darkoh) to walk on water, healing the lame and “curing” Mary Magdalene (Ceara Morgana).
“I see you, Mary!”
The script’s scene-setting has the Jews of Judea of 2000 years ago waiting for deliverance from Roman oppression by a Messiah, with the crazed wilderness man “The Baptizer” (Jesse Inocalla) the first to announce “the Messiah is among us ALREADY.”
The still-handy-with-a-hammer carpenter’s son Jesus jokes to young John about John the Baptist living in the wilderness when the Messiah thought 40 days of that would suffice.
But the people? Their big gripe, a running thread through this occasionally pandering script, is “taxes” and “crooked tax collectors” and the like. No “Render unto Caesar” messaging to upset the target audience, I guess.
Introducing Judas as “the money man” among the disciples is a clever burn.
But the film’s light tone doesn’t water down the washing of feet and ministering to the poor as “The Good Samaritan” parable is related.
“In my kingdom, those who serve others will be the greatest.”
And when the end comes — Last Supper, Betrayal, Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion — the filmmakers take it all seriously and render it in moving strokes.
No, the voice cast hasn’t a household name in the lot — Michael Benyaer is Nicodemus and has been in a lot of films, “Jesus” is a voice-actor with “My Little Pony” credits — but the voice acting is good, the animation is sharp and layered and the narrative just dashes by.
It’s not “Prince of Egypt,” but it sure isn’t “Veggie Tales.” Not a bad start for the Salvation Poem Project. Let’s see if it finds its audience.
Rating: PG, animated violence
Cast: The voices of Ian Hanlin, Benjamin Jacobson, Erin Matthews, Dave Pettitt, Jesse Inocala, Sam Darkoh, Colin Murdock, Adam Nuradah, Michael Benyaer, David Kaye and Rebekah Schafer.
Credits: Directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer, scripted by David M. Armstrong, Drew Barton Armstrong and Jason Heaton.A Salvation Poem Project release.
Running time: 1:31
Movie Nation 
Any idea why some other sources like Rotten Tomatoes are saying that Tim Heidecker is the voice of Nicodemus?
IMDb, which uses publicity material provided by the producers, has it as Benyaer.. I also saw it in the credits. The PR firm working on the film doesn’t know where that false credit came from. The idea of someone with Heidecker’s background and credits parked in a faith-based film for children seems nuts. Perhaps he was replaced in the voice cast later in the production, or perhaps RT was pranked.