Films resembling 'Gods of Egypt' with superior quality
Gods of Egypt: A Film Mired in Controversy
In the realm of streaming entertainment, Gerard Butler's action fantasy movie 'Gods of Egypt' has made a comeback, finding a place in Netflix's top 10. However, its journey to this position has been far from smooth.
Set in an alternate reality version of ancient Egypt where gods co-exist with mortals, the film has been heavily criticized for its casting. Lionsgate, the studio behind the production, was accused of "whitewashing," with the principal cast mostly of Northwestern European descent. This casting choice sparked backlash for racial and ethnic inaccuracies, especially given the story's Egyptian setting[1][3][5].
Upon release, the film received a 15% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 37% audience score[1][2][4]. Critics and audiences unanimously panned the film not only for its casting but also for its weak storyline and poor execution. The film's failure was significant financially, reportedly losing around $90 million for Lionsgate[1].
Despite these setbacks, 'Gods of Egypt' has found a new audience on Netflix, where it has garnered interest mainly for its fantastical setting and action sequences. Chadwick Boseman’s performance as the god Thoth has been noted as a highlight[2][4]. However, the casting controversy continues to overshadow the movie, with discussions about Hollywood whitewashing and racial stereotypes persisting in public discourse[3][5].
In a different realm, Michelle Rodriguez plays a no-nonsense barbarian in 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves'. Chris Pine stars as a roguish bard, while Justice Smith plays an insecure sorcerer in this upcoming fantasy adventure.
Meanwhile, 'The Forbidden Kingdom' offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western cinema. This live-action adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese epic 'Journey to the West' stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li. In this film, a modern-day American teenager is transported to ancient China, where he joins forces with a crew of warriors from martial arts lore to free the imprisoned Monkey King[6].
Another early work by Guillermo del Toro, 'Pan's Labyrinth', is a dark fantasy set in post-Civil War Spain. In this movie, a 10-year-old girl named Ofelia stumbles upon an ancient labyrinth and is told she is the reincarnation of a lost princess. To reclaim her place, she must complete three perilous tasks[7].
References:
- Rotten Tomatoes: Gods of Egypt
- IMDb: Gods of Egypt
- The Guardian: Gods of Egypt row: Lionsgate issues apology over 'whitewashing'
- The New York Times: ‘Gods of Egypt’ Is a Boring Mess
- The Atlantic: The Whitewashing of 'Gods of Egypt'
- IMDb: The Forbidden Kingdom
- IMDb: Pan's Labyrinth
Movies-and-TV like 'Gods of Egypt' and 'entertainment' include 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves', 'The Forbidden Kingdom', and 'Pan's Labyrinth'. Each offers unique perspectives and blends of different cultures, but 'Gods of Egypt' continues to face criticism for its casting choices, contributing to ongoing discussions about Hollywood whitewashing and racial stereotypes.
