Journey to Bethlehem

Like many reviewers I'd never heard of this film and had little interest in watching it .... until I read the other reviews.

Thanks so much in persuading me to watch this little gem of a film.

Clearly the best musical (by a very long way) in recent years, is The Greatest Showman.

This film however, on a mere fraction of the budget (only $6 compared to $84 million), has produced a brilliant soundtrack and thoroughly entertaining movie, that's at least 70-80% as good.

A modern retelling of the birth of Jesus and even though I'm in no way religious, leaves you with a big smile on your face and a glowing warmth in your heart.

Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to this little gem.

It's a musical, so I had to coerce hubby to go with me to see it. Not twenty minutes into the film and I knew that I wanted the soundtrack.

The music leans Disney, almost like the scores were compiled by a team of individuals from early 2000s Disney payroll.

Expect theatrics, dances, choreography...everything. It's done quite well. Very entertaining. The sets fall someplace between a small-stage theater and a big screen production. Simple script, but good. Well acted. Beautiful cast members, costumes, and settings.

Hubby confessed how much he enjoyed the film, especially the end. And of course, it's clean family fun.

Others may disagree, but I see the liberties taken to fill in gaps are reasonable and necessary. The movie presents a vision of the possible life and expletive of Joseph and Mary and the 3 wise men and, likely, the evolution of a soul when presented with the gift of God through Jesus Christ. Perfect? No. Well done? Absolutely!

Three wise men as stooges or comedic interludes? Nope, not even barely! They show the son of Herod (a prototypical seeker) learning from the 3 wise men in his transformation.

The movie shows what did happen and what might have happened in the gaps that exist in scripture. The characters are well-developed and the viewer is able to see the world from many different angles.

Frankly, if anyone criticizes the depiction of Mary because she doesn't fit into their "mental picture" of who Mary was and is, then shame on you because this Mary is much more realistic and approachable than any other depiction of Mary that I've ever seen or heard.

I've watched this film more times than I can count because it is helping me through medications for physical Illnesses that I have. I know the film isn't perfect, but WOAH! The characters and their passion for God and truth is clear and obvious.

Take what you will, but know this: God is in this story!

Finally an amazing beautiful earthwarming movie. The best musical since lalaland!

Beautifully acted. Beautiful songs and music.

A treat! The whole family enjoyed the new twists and we will go to the theatre to see it again.

Banderas is wonderful and so are the other actors. MARY and Joseph are a treat.to watch singing and acting.

The magis were fun and entertaining. Herod son... also a great actor besides being.handome...lol....but my favourite is Fig...the dinky!!!.a Great actor too! LOL

Beautiful picture and setting. Beautiful script.

I wish there were more movies like this one!

A must see.

What if you re-imagined life before Jesus. And then attempted to sanitize the idea that Mary was an ambitious post-teen who had aspirations to be a teacher but accepts the task of being a surrogate to Mom to God. Typing this out loud I laugh to myself how silly it may sound. And perhaps that's what the moviemakers thought too. So they inject it with non-memorable songs. But they're so semi-polished to the budget from a studio that pumps its money into Marvel stuff and reserves some dough to throw at faith based flicks like this. Yes, it's clearly a religious movie. I mean, it IS about Jesus. But it doesn't necessarily slap you across the face with it. They astutely let you have some fun with it. With some pratfalls and silly humor, they did something smart and NOT take it all that seriously.

However, it still stops short of being all that interesting. Antonio Banderas plays King Herod with great evil fun. He knows what movie he wants to be in and commits to some bizarre behavior that taps into madness.

Look, the stakes are very low in this flick. They dump all the ugliness and violence of those days and gives you an abridge overview of the "Greatest Story Ever Told" Take this statement for what its worth.

If not for the stunning Fiona Palomo who plays Mary, it's hard to say the flick is all that watchable. It seemed a little bit...cheap. Obviously this is a budgeted piece that whiffs at Hallmark Holiday level flicks. There is nothing particularly dramatic. Fiona plays Mary sweet and innocent. With wide-eyes and wholesome quality, it's really hard to NOT like this movie.

It's a good flick to fill boredom during the holidays but I didn't find it all that re-watchable.