Reggie F.

So, I have mixed feelings about this movie. I was so excited to see it because of all the good reviews that i went ahead and bought it and just watched it right now with the fam. I loved it... but I also hated it. I loved it for the production, singing, and comedic fun. However, what was hard for me to love was the story that I know so well that they took their liberty with in changing. Yeah, they still kept the same birth in the same stable- the same three wise men and Herod. All the main characters were in it... but portrayed in a very modern way to the point it almost felt like a mockery of the story. They left so many important scenes out and yet included so many unnecessary scenes. One thing that bothered me the most was the very modern-take they gave for Mary and Joseph's relationship. Mary was certainly the "man" in the relationship in this movie and was very headstrong and certainly not anybody Scripture would use as the honored virgin who gave birth to the Son of God. The humility described in Scripture was nowhere near present in Mary's character which was a huge disappointment. I loved seeing more of Mary and Joseph's story but the only reason why they are at all important is because of who they raised up. I feel that the center of the story was somehow lost in this "Hollywood"-like retelling. It's a great movie- I can't deny that. I just personally feel conflicted on whether I think the amount of liberties that were taken with this story was okay- seeing it is the greatest story of all time and one that should never be taken lightly... certainly not as lightly as this movie portrayed it. But then again, this is just how I FEEL based on what i KNOW about this story. Regardless, the production of this film was excellent, acting was great, and it was nice as well as interesting to see the story of Jesus' birth come to life in a musical.