XL: The Temptation of Christ

I watched this movie with my kids and they kept asking did Jesus really act like that? Why is he afraid? Why is he acting like that? And I totally agree with them, They portray Jesus as startled and slightly in fear and contemplative of being tempted. Not only that, it shows Jesus as being tempted throughout the 40 days when it says in Mathew that he prayed and fasted for 40 days and then the devil tempted Him and Jesus quickly put an end to it, Jesus was never actually "tempted" meaning the thought of bowing down to satan never appealed to Him because He knew who He was. Now this doesn't necessarily make Jesus seem like He's considering but it kinda does, it certainly doesn't portray Him as quickly quoting scripture and putting Satan in his place. Also it portrays Jesus as almost a normal boy in His youth, all I could think of was the boy actor just maybe wasn't able to act and speak? Not putting him down but I assume they just made the roll easy for the kid as he barely spoke. I get people want to add creativity and imagine what could have happened but please at least keep it in the boundaries of being biblically accurate.

The movie is slow going and barren but this is to be expected! After all, it is a film based on Jesus in the wilderness. Nice sound track and cinematography. Inevitably the best scenes involve interactions between Jesus and the Devil. Dialogue tends to revert to scripture, which isn't a bad thing! The movie is slightly formulaic and derivative. I guess they had to include filler scenes to elongate the movie. The main protagonists were convincing enough in their roles. I actually would give it 6.5 if the option was available!

Personally I thought the conversation between Jesus and satan was very insightful and gave a better understanding of the scriptures and a reality of what he went through doing that time. I like to read the Word of God in layman's terms and this movie really helped to give a basic understanding of what Jesus went through and the deceptive ways of satan and and how he comes from man. He is a deceiver. I also thought the way Jesus dealt with it in this movie really brought it home for what we go through daily with the enemy. I found it to be very relatable..... And I really appreciate that! This movie may not reach all in a positive way but it definitely makes me want to study more and draw closer to the Lord.

First the good stuff. The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic. The cinematography was pretty good. The actors were average or above.

The average. Since this was made by a Christian based production company it leans more towards the lower budget side. I mean it's still not bad mind you. The editing needs to be fixed. The laughing Lucifer needs to go. Also the narrator needs to go. Get someone with a better voice.

The story has been told numerous times so nothing really new here. IMO people will view this movie more along the lines of a documentary style of Jesus's 40 days in the desert then an actual movie retelling of the bible. Atleast rent it and give it a shot. It's better then most Christian movies out there. I loved the soundtrack.

It is a really good movie, the music, the way they have captured the light when Jesus is talking is just amazing. its a perfect movie for anyone that has read the bible and or also for any movie lovers out there.