If you're looking for a GREAT movie to take your kids to see this Christmas season, this is it!
I didn't receive free tickets or any other compensation for writing this review - I simply liked the movie so much that I wanted to encourage YOU to go see it!
I have a confession to make. We're those "weird" homeschoolers who don't own a television. Our daughter has NEVER been to a Cinema to see a movie. We watch videos from the library or Youtube or our own collection, but we don't GO to movies. Until last night, that is.
A friend recommended this film, and I became curious. I thoroughly checked out the online reviews and made sure there was no objectionable content. I wasn't just looking to make sure it was "G-Rated" but I also wanted to be sure that the Christian story was reverently and sensitively depicted. I could find no problems and lots of positive reviews, so we set out to see it.
Having not been to a cinema in a number of years myself, it was a novel experience for me to sit in recliners to watch a movie for the first time!
Prices have changed a lot since we last went to see a movie, but I like the idea of supporting the GOOD films that Hollywood makes, to encourage them to make more good, wholesome entertainment.
My daughter told everyone she met that this was her first movie going experience EVER. She was super excited!
When the lights went down, what we saw on the screen was even better than I had hoped from reading the reviews. Throughout much of the movie, my daughter was laughing so hard, that I was concerned other moviegoers would be annoyed! And yet, none of the jokes were offensive or irreverent. Artistic license was taken with the Story, but in a way that was in keeping with the spirit of the narrative.
(As a side note for Orthodox & Catholic viewers, Mary & Joseph were depicted in a "Protestant" way - as a young couple in love, but Mary was portrayed as a Virgin throughout the movie)
I don't want to add any spoilers here, but there were many devout, touching moments in the movie that brought home the Spiritual significance of the Birth of Christ. There was a stunning amount of Christian content without ever being "preachy."
It was a charming, funny tale told from the perspective of the animals - but the glimpses into humanity - and Theology - were profound.
There ARE some intense or frightening scenes for small children or sensitive children involving snarling dogs and their menacing keeper - minions of Herod. No actual (non comedic) graphic violence, but still, it might be troubling to very little viewers.
As a little bonus, the voices were done by an all-star cast. I won't pretend that I knew who most of the Hollywood stars, were, but I noticed in the credits that Christopher Plummer (of Sound of Music fame) had done the voice of Herod - fascinating since he also played (another) Herod in Jesus of Nazareth.
The Star gave me hope for our culture, that Hollywood can still produce movies that are worth watching - and so much fun at the same time!
If you're only going to see one movie this year (or this decade ; ) The Star should be it!
This is being shared on
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Oooh, good to know...I liked the trailer.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read this. I think my grandson's might enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory for her to have too! Watching a good wholesome movie is always so refreshing. Thanks for sharing with us at Love to Learn. Pinned.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing good things about this one and it's nice to hear your opinion. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
ReplyDeleteTina
I have only heard great things about this movie. I can't wait to watch it with my family. How wonderfully welcomed by the Literacy Musing Mondays audience!
ReplyDelete