Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

There are so many things wrong with this movie. I am fine that they wanted to make a speculative movie about Jesus as a youth, but at least use the facts we do know. Let's start with the fact that they have him meet the Wise Men as a babe. He was close to 2 years old when they arrive. Also Joseph and Mary had left prior to the children being killed. Then the reason they leave Egypt since they are told it is safe. Ummmm, this movie is all about it not being safe. Then they have him going to the temple at age 7, he was 12. And why do they always have Jesus not knowing who he is? I am pretty certain Joseph and Mary told Christ who He was from the earliest days. And even if they didn't He would know since He is the Son of God. Yes everyone knows the secret that He is God except Him. I don't buy it. About the only thing they got correct was I am sure Satan tried to tempt him. Serious Train Wreck!

Jesus (Adam Greaves-Neal), Mary (Sara Lazzaro) and Joseph (Vincent Walsh) had fled from Bethlehem to Egypt to avoid King Herod's decree of killing every male baby hoping to kill Jesus, a rival that threatened him. When they learn of King Herod's death, the family returns home to Nazareth only to become aware that Herod's son (Jonathan Bailey) is after the same thing as his father. Jesus at 7-years of age is aware that his family is keeping secrets from him.The birth of Jesus, the finding of Jesus in the Temple by Mary, and the wedding in Canaan are the three events we are most familiar with until Jesus begins his ministry at 30-years of age. In this story we see that Jesus doesn't really know who he is. He can do things like perform miracles, but doesn't know why he can do these things. He asks many questions and eventually Mary tells him of his birth and who he really is and that he must hide his powers until God tells him when he can use them. We see Roman Centurion Severus (Sean Bean) ordered by Herod to find and kill Jesus and this takes up most of the movie. And yes, they do meet for a second time. (A second time???)We also see The Demon (Rory Keenan) following Jesus as he is not sure who Jesus is. Jesus is the only one who can see and hear The Demon. This is not a Christian exposé, so to speak, so we do not get a lot of Christianity and benefits thereof. But no worries as this Is not a revival. (Thank you)This is a story made up by Anne Rice - the Vampire authoress - about a boy learning who he is and the family and friends protecting him from harm. However, if those of you who have read the Valtorta books you know Jesus knew who he was from the very start. Be that as it may, this is a refreshing look into "maybe it was like this." Everything was constructive and nothing was destructive and it's a very enjoyable story.You can almost believe that Jesus may have looked like and behaved as we see Adam Greaves-Neal behave in this story. And that's a nice touch. This is a well presented production and the acting all around is very good. (7/10)Violence: Yes, some not much. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.

To be honest with you, Jesus looks in this movie as a young girl which is pro-fanatic vision of himself as a Messiah of the human race. I do not think that it needs more comment than that the previous movie titled A child Called Jesus, lead the young actor who played a young Jesus, to play in the future in the movie related to two homosexual gays titled "Barocco" and to finally leave acting forever. This movie to me is just another disaster and the never ending story of the man who died 2000 years ago, leaving us alone, should be forgotten. Why to show Jesus as this child. Show him as the child that is handicapped on the wheelchair, maybe as a blind child. There are so many of them who need help. And then where is the Jesus for them to to help them? It is another fairy tale that makes a total mess up in the mind of a growing up child that plays this role.

Despite some literary license taken with the Bible, the movie still offers great food for thought for considering what Jesus's developmental days might have been like...for Jesus and for all concerned in his presence.The acting is superb (far better than "Risen") with a beautiful Biblical backdrop. The director focuses often on facial close-ups and the actors respond with looks that offer more than words might describe.Sara Lazaro is perfect as Mary. Sean Bean outstanding as Severus. Adam Greaves-Neal carefully crafts a compelling young Jesus.Bible readers know Jesus' first recorded miracle didn't happen till much later and the Wise Men didn't appear right at Jesus' birth, but putting that aside (and the slip-on sandals...I don't think those were that popular then) the movie explores some complexities that might not always be considered when thinking of a young Jesus and overall succeeds in doing it in an uplifting, yet not hokey manner.