Merry Christmas! For this edition of the blog, we bring you 2017's animated feature "The Star", which tells the story Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. It's actually told from the point of view of the donkey that carried them into Bethlehem.
The film's voice cast includes Kevin Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Christopher Plummer, Ving Rhames, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Patricia Heaton, Kris Kristofferson, Kristin Chenoweth, Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracy Morgan, Joel Osteen, and Delilah.
Bo is a donkey who works in a mill grinding wheat. He absolutely hates his job.
His dream is to join the Royal Caravan with his friend Dave the pigeon. It's the thought of this goal that keeps Bo going.
One day, Bo engineers a breakout and puts the mill has far behind him as possible.
He ends up staying with newlyweds Joseph and Mary. She is expecting the Son of God.
Bo's friend Dave sticks by his pal's side. The two of them make for quite a team.
Three months later, three wise men (and their very entertaining camels) are following a star that heralds the arrival of a new king.
Meanwhile, King Herod has received orders that a census is to be taken. He gives the directive that it be carried out.
The wise men arrive and inform King Herod about the impending arrival of a new king. He isn't happy.
After they leave, King Herod get his most intimidating henchmen and two vicious dogs. "This new king is a problem," says Herod. "Get rid of the problem." The man and dogs are now on the trail of Joseph, Mary, and the unborn baby.
Because of the census, Joseph and Mary must travel to Bethlehem. Bo, Dave, and their new friend Ruth accompany them. Bo still harbors dreams of joining the Royal Caravan. He is also fiercely protective of Mary. And once he realizes that King Herod's goon is after her, he decides to stick with the group.
As they arrive in Bethlehem, Mary goes into labor. They urgently look for a place to stay. However, every inn they stop at is full.
Bo goes in search of a place and finds a stable. It's the exact place that the star is shining on.
Needing help to outsmart the evil dogs, Ruth goes to her flock and tries to get them to listen to her. They ignore her, but when a host of angels arrives and tells of the birth of a Savior, they listen.
With the dogs hard on their heels, Bo leads Mary and Joseph to the safety of the stable.
It takes a group effort to defeat Herod's henchman and the dogs. Ruth and her flock, Dave and some serious moves, and even the wise men's camels pitch in to help.
The baby, Jesus, is born. Bo goes up and looks in wonder and amazement at the little boy.
Herod's dogs, now converted from mean to nice, come to see the baby. However, they are cautioned by Felix the camel. "Look with your eyes!" he says, keeping his own watchful eyes on them.
The wise men arrive and present gifts for the newborn king: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Everyone bows in reverence to the little king on that first Christmas night.
And Bo comes to a realization. He doesn't need to join the Royal Caravan after all. He's carried a king.
Cast rundown:
Steven Yeun.....................................Bo
And that's it for The Star. As mentioned before, the Nativity story is told from the point of view of the animals. This has happened twice before in animated shorts: 1970's "The Night The Animals Talked" and 1977's "Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey".
Mariah Carey sings the title song "The Star". It was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song - Motion Picture.
No comments:
Post a Comment