[this is just an insert here to inform you that my original post disappeared, which i am sure you can all relate to my frustration and thus this second version is just not as good...oh well...]


The nativity story...

a charming retelling of the birth of the christ child...

this film was filled with stars but with how many stars would i rate it? i don't know. perhaps my expectations were too high, maybe they were just different. however i went in hoping to be impacted in some way but i left somewhat disappointed. this timeless tale was beautifully woven, staying historically true to the time. the setting. the people. the characters look the part and pull you into the story as you journey along with them. experiencing the struggles. sharing the moments of joy. yet part of what bothered me was mary's lack of emotion throughout the entire film. when the angel first appeared to her in the field she didn't so much as flinch. and later after little baby jesus is born and the shepards come she looks as though these sort of events happen all the time. it was these key climactic moments that left me wanting something more. i was eagerly anticipating the glorious host of angels that were to appear before the shepards in the field singing about good news of great joy but low and behold! they are greeted with one lone angel on a hill...not too dazzling. and when these lowly shepards join the wise and kingly magi to worship the king of kings i thought it might be a little bit more of a dramatic affair. the bible says they were filled with wonder and awe and bowed down and praised jesus. the shepards went about spreading the news of the advent. the coming of the lord and saviour! yet here the picture truly looked like your typical nativity set up. they shepards and magi bowing down like porcelein dolls in two staggered lines with the holy baby radiantly shining in the center. but perhaps it achieved the desired effect. perhaps i shouldn't have gone in with any expectations. i really did enjoy the movie though. it is a story that should be told again and again and i am glad that people are able to see it in a new light this christmas season. i had just hoped for a little more oomph. something that would take your breath away in wonder. after all it is the birth of jesus christ! even while he was humbly born in a stable, all of heaven was rejoicing! in the film the grand event is just so mellow. i know it doesn't take away from the true story at all. and perhaps this rendition captures the silent awe and reverence of the whole affair. but i also think of it as a time for joyful celebration! it had sort of a disappointing anti-climatic ending i thought. but that's just me. [and my tired state of mind] maybe everybody else loved it. i hope i haven't ripped it apart like a cold cynic. i had just hoped for something more. honestly for me the best part of the movie was the wise men, who were quite the comical characters. [and herod's beard.] it is just a movie after all. i just had to get my opinion out of my head. nevertheless, any star rating of this movie would only be eclipsed by the one true star anyway. and that's all that matters in the end.