One part of the Christmas holidays that I’ve always enjoyed with my family is watching Christmas movies. My husband and I love showing our kids movies that we loved as children like Home Alone and A Christmas Carol and also some newer fun ones like Elf. However one thing that was really missing from our holiday movie repertoire was a movie that told the actual Christmas story, the story of the first Christmas, the reason why we actually celebrate at all —Jesus’ birth. Well, I’ve got good news, parents! Thanks to The Star movie, which comes out in theaters tomorrow, I can finally say that void is filled— and in the most hilarious way that kids and parents alike will love.
Before I go any further, let me just say that I did get to watch The Star movie in advance with my husband and kids, but I’m not being paid in anyway for this review—these are just my actual, honest opinions. I had my expectations for the movie set fairly low because as a Christian I’m often skeptical when Hollywood takes on a Biblical story. I was a little worried about the story of Jesus’s birth being told in a non-factual way, being skewed, or even being blasphemed. After all. the story of Christ’s birth is something that is sacred and precious to all of us who follow Him. However I’m happy to say that my expectations were far, far exceeded.
What makes The Star movie exceptional is that it’s told from the point of view of the animals involved in the story. There’s Bo the donkey, whose back carried Mary and the unborn Christ child to Bethlehem. There are the wise men’s three hilarious camels (one of whom is portrayed by Tracy Morgan of SNL/30 Rock and nearly steals the show, he is SO funny!), and there are the animals in the stable where Jesus came to be born: inhuman witnesses to the most glorious mishmash of human and holy that has ever occurred.
