The Star 2017

     Bo is a small but brave donkey and his job is to grind grain at the village mill.  He is accompanied by an older donkey that knows this is all he will have in life.  Bo dreams about being out in the world and away from the mill.  He discovers a way to leave the mill and he starts out on an adventure.  He teams up with Ruth and she is a sheep that has left her flock.  He also meets Dave, a dove that doesn’t really know how to fly.  They begin to follow a new star that shines brightly in the sky. 

     This film is about the Nativity told from the view of the animals.  Some of the details of the real story are left out but otherwise it’s interesting and enjoyable.  The film is nicely animated and very cute with different personalities and problems for the animals.  Also told from the perspective of Mary and Joseph.  Even though this is animated, Mary and Joseph seem like real people living real lives in this time period.  Their future was changed from what they planned and they anticipate more responsibility in parenthood than they expected.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

86 min, Animation directed by Timothy Reckart with the voices of Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Christopher Plummer, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Patricia Heaton, Kris Kristofferson, Kristin Chenoweth.

Note:  Imdb 5.9 out of 10, 45% critic 71% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 232 reviews, Metacritic 42 out of 100 with 12 critics 6.1 out of 10 with 23 reviews,

Special Note:  Released in November month earlier in order to be out before Christmas.