The Star – The Star (2017)

Directed by: Timothy Reckart | 83 minutes | animation, adventure | Original voice cast: Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Christopher Plummer, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Patricia Heaton, Kris Kristofferson, Kristin Chenoweth, Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracy Morgan, Joel Osteen, Delilah

The story of the birth of Jesus is now well known. It is therefore a matter of looking for a creative way to reshape that well-trodden path. The makers of ‘The Star’ have done this by shifting the perspective of the story to the animals that played a role in this history. More specifically, the film tells the story of Bo, a little donkey, who sees more in life for himself than just walking around the grinder.

The story begins nine months before Christ: with Mary meeting the angel Gabriel who tells her that she carries the Son of God within her. Then we meet the still nameless donkey who is fascinated by the bright star in the sky. He escapes his miserable life and manages to find refuge with Maria. She has just married Joseph and has not yet told him of her wonderful story. From there the real adventure begins and Bo, as the donkey has meanwhile been called by Maria, will present himself as the savior of the Christmas story.

So ‘The star’ has made an interesting choice by putting the story to the animals and that decision turns out well. The main characters from the original story become so supportive. The characters of the animals are nicely developed. For example, with the three Wise Men from the East, the perspective lies with the camels and they are therefore of real added value. Especially because they always say aloud their doubts about the entire quest. Are they going to a birthday or baby shower now? Or are they just simply chasing the star?

In any case, the story has small pinpricks of faith. After Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, a small animal, who witnessed the spectacle, runs away crying, “Guys, you’ll never believe this.” They are not cynical statements about the truth of the story but more bits of self-doubt from a film that clearly knows it has an evangelical character. This is also due to the songs in the film, which would not look out of place on an average EO youth day. Another small point of criticism is that the man who hunts the (parents of the) new king can really instill fear in the young viewer. Combine that with an aggressive pit bull and the tone is set.

All this does not make ‘The Star’ any less, however. It’s an entertaining set with fun characters that shine a new light on a story that’s been told all too often.