Film Review - The Star (2017)

A retelling one the greatest stories ever told and brought to the screen in a fresh new way, The Star is released on digital on November 5 and is out on Blu-ray™ and DVD on November 19. This faith-based animation follows the events leading up to the Nativity from the point of view of the animals.

In The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day Bo finds the courage to break free and ends up befriending newlyweds Joseph and Mary. Mary’s kindness soon sets Bo on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in one of the most famous stories ever recorded – the first Christmas.

Review – Contains Spoilers

Joseph (Zachary Levi) and Mary (Gina Rodriguez) in Sony Pictures Animations’ THE STAR.

This version of the birth of Christ is seen from the animals’ point of view.

Who, by the way, are all hilarious in their mannerisms, my favourite being the 3 camels who carry the wise men.

Bo, the little donkey who ends up carrying Mary to Bethlehem, doesn’t actually set out on that path. He, along with his best friend – who obviously is a bird, want to become part of the King’s parade and lead the animals when the King passes through the villages. Little does he know that he will become that very donkey, once Jesus Christ, the new king is born.

The story does have the dark side too, with King Herod wanting to capture Mary and stop the coming of the new King. We know from biblical studies that he actually wants to do a lot worse than that, but this is a children’s film and so to get around this heinous act, it is portrayed as King Herold’s henchman and his two dogs to track Mary and the pitbull, whilst mean, is very dim.

The film is hilarious, and for young and old will have you laughing at various points in the film, and whilst the directors have used artistic licence to make this film, they have kept to the story of the coming of Christ, even with the scene of when the Angel of the Lord comes down and glory shone around.

A great take on this wonderful story and one that will be enjoyed by all at Christmas.