Bilal #EarlyReview

In Theaters, TOMORROW, February 2

Rated PG

1 Hour 45 Minutes

 1,400 years ago, Bilal, a seven-year-old boy, finds himself and his sister under the tyranny of slavery. Throughout his life he undergoes many hardships, through which he discovers an inner strength he did not realize he possessed. Through these experiences, Bilal comes to realize that if he is brave enough to raise his voice and choose his own path - everything becomes possible. It is through his courage, that he frees himself and ultimately his community; It is through the power of his voice and faith that his lifelong dream of freedom comes true. Bilal grows into a man who will inspire and forever change the world.

“Bilal: A New Breed Of Hero” stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (“Suicide Squad,” “Thor: The Darkworld,” Lost) as the voice of adult Bilal; Ian McShane (American Gods, “John Wick: 2,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ,” Deadwood) as the voice of Umayya, Bilal’s evil master; Jacob Latimore (“Detroit,” “Collateral Beauty,” “The Maze Runner”) as the voice of teenage Bilal; China Anne McClain (“Descendants 2,” Descendants: Wicked World, A.N.T. Farm) as Bilal’s teenage sister Ghufaira; Cynthia Kaye McWilliams (Bosch, Nashville) as Bilal’s mother, Hamama; and Michael Gross (“Tremors,” ER, The Young and the Restless, Family Ties) as Okba the cowardly slave trader.

REVIEW:

Quite good overall.

I admit, when I first read about the film, I thought there would be much more action in the film. The majority of the action was at the end. However, this movie was all about the story. That story was based on true events, and real people. Even though it was animation, and it was wicked animation all cool with it's realistic graphics, it was not a story for the feint of heart. It was another tough look at what life has always been like. Discrimination has always been around, and people have always had to fight for what was right. Bilal was one of many, yet his story was simply fascinating.

Even the hubby really enjoyed the film. I was surprised to be honest. It was way out of his comfort zone, being a blow shit up kinda guy. Still he was held through to the end.

This is a story we should all watch.

4/5