The Sony Pictures Home Entertainment February 20, 2018 Blu-ray and DVD releases of the 2017 Sony Animation film "The Star" both allows a final dose of Christmas spirit and reminds some folks that their tree really needs to come down.
This retelling of the Nativity story from the perspective of a trio of animals is cute and widens the perspective of those of us who only know what happens from the time that Joseph faces the consequences of not making a hotel reservation.
Although possible presidential candidate Oprah provides the greatest star power in her VO role of Deborah the camel who is traveling with the three wise men, the film centers around Bo the "small but brave" donkey (VO veteran and "Walking Dead" fan fave Steven Yuan).
The following YouTube clip of a "Star" trailer shows the bright animation and family-friendly humor of the film. It also shows the "A List" caliber of the other VO actors.
Bo is an unhappy literal beast of burden of a miller at the beginning of the film. An escape attempt related to seeing the newly formed titular celestial object coincides with a "Christmas Carol" style event. An angel visits an unmarried (and surprisingly unfazed) Mary (Gina Rodriguez) to inform her that she is chosen one whom the Holy Spirit will visit and perform the immaculate conception that will make her pregnant with Jesus Christ. We then see that highly significant intercourse occur.
The action then moves ahead six months just as Mary is about to wed Joseph (Zachary "Chuck" Levi). The bases for the cold feet of the blushing bride include her never telling her soon-to-be husband that she has a holy bun in the oven.
The drama and the excitement for the very newly wed couple includes a surprisingly unfazed Joseph learning that he is step-father to be. Bo soon thereafter literally crashing into the honeymoon cottage of the couple further makes this a wedding day that neither Mary nor Joseph will ever forget.
Bo, along with Dave the dove (Keegan-Michael Kay) and Ruth the sheep (Aidy Bryant), soon take on the role of protecting Mary and Joseph on their well-known journey to Bethlehem.
The primary threat to Mary fulfilling her destiny is an agent of Herod tracking her for the purpose of preventing her from giving birth to Jesus. The disclaimer at the end of "Star" regarding the artistic license related to the film addresses the aspect of talking farm animals repeatedly preventing this soldier from completing his mission; this is especially true regarding a herd of sheep flocking him up.
The logical (and actual) conclusion of "Star" is new-born Jesus peacefully mellowing in his manager as his four-legged, two-legged, and feathered admirers surround him.
The plethora of DVD bonus features include sing-along and dance-along shorts and a cute "Faith All Year Round" short with "Spiritual Success Coach" DeVon Franklin and a group of adorable children.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Star" is encouraged to email me; you alternatively can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
No comments:
Post a Comment