The Star
The Star (2017) is an animated adventure-comedy film that reimagines the biblical Nativity story through the eyes of the animals involved. The narrative centers on Bo, a small but brave donkey, who escapes his monotonous life at a mill and embarks on a journey. He eventually teams up with other animals, including a witty dove named Dave and a loyal sheep named Ruth, to protect Mary and Joseph on their arduous journey to Bethlehem. The film aims to provide a heartwarming and humorous take on the first Christmas, appealing to families and young children.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe film contains frequent slapstick violence and several scenes of peril, primarily involving King Herod's menacing hunter and his two aggressive dogs pursuing Mary, Joseph, and the animals. While often comedic, there are implied threats of harm and a character's presumed death, which can be intense for young viewers.
King Herod dispatches a silent, sinister hunter armed with a large knife and two vicious dogs, Thaddeus and Rufus, with the explicit intention of tracking and killing Mary and the baby Jesus. This leads to numerous intense chase scenes. In one climactic scene, the hunter falls from a cliff, with his helmet rolling past, strongly suggesting his death, though the fall itself is not graphically depicted. His dogs are later saved by Bo.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film includes several suspenseful and potentially frightening scenes, mainly involving King Herod's hunter and his aggressive dogs. These chase sequences and moments of peril, while not graphic, can be intense for very young viewers.
The menacing hunter and his two snarling dogs constantly pursue Mary, Joseph, and the animals throughout the film, creating a sustained sense of danger and intense chase scenes. Scenes where Bo the donkey is in danger of falling from high cliffs and the threatening nature of King Herod's henchman and his dogs can be frightening for children under five.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowNo explicit or implied LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation were found in 'The Star (2017)' across extensive searches including official reviews, fan communities, and specific keyword combinations related to LGBTQ+ identity. The film focuses on the traditional biblical narrative of Mary and Joseph.
Searches for 'The Star (2017) lgbtq', 'The Star (2017) gay', 'The Star (2017) lesbian', 'The Star (2017) transgender', 'The Star (2017) queer representation', 'The Star (2017) LGBTQ characters', and specific director/writer names combined with 'lgbtq' (Timothy Reckart, Carlos Kotkin, Simon Moore) yielded no results indicating LGBTQ+ content or themes in the film. The story adheres to the traditional biblical account of Mary and Joseph.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe film contains very mild romantic elements consistent with the biblical narrative of Mary and Joseph's impending marriage and pregnancy. There is no explicit sexual content, graphic nudity, or suggestive acts.
Mary is an unmarried woman who becomes pregnant, which initially causes concern for her fiancé, Joseph, before he accepts the divine nature of the pregnancy. The dove, Dave, uses some mildly flirtatious language when talking to a group of hens, described as a very mild sexual reference.
Profanity
LowThe use of profanity in the film is minimal and very mild, consisting mainly of brief, non-offensive terms and some mild name-calling.
Mild name-calling is noted in parental reviews. The character Dave the dove uses phrases such as “tick people off” and expresses an intent to “poop on someone,” which is categorized as mild coarse language or bathroom humor.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe film does not contain any depictions of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or harmful supernatural elements. The supernatural elements are solely related to the biblical account of the Annunciation by an angel.
The only supernatural event depicted is an angel visiting Mary to announce she will bear the Messiah, and the room filling with light, signifying the Immaculate Conception, which then becomes 'the star'. This aligns with Christian theology rather than occult practices.
Substance Use
LowThere is no depiction or reference to alcohol, drug use, smoking, or addiction in 'The Star (2017)'. Reviews consistently state no substance use is present.
Parental review outlets explicitly state that no alcohol or drug use was noted in the film. The content is considered suitable for young audiences with no such concerns.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe film includes some mild instances of animal characters displaying attitudes or minor acts of defiance, primarily Bo the donkey's desire to escape his servitude. However, these are generally portrayed within a positive narrative framework of seeking purpose and heroism.
Bo the donkey, the protagonist, initially dreams of escaping his grueling job at a mill and joining a royal caravan, showing a desire for a different life than his assigned servitude. While this is a form of 'rebellion' against his circumstances, it leads him to his ultimate role in the Nativity story, framed as finding a greater purpose.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowDespite some creative liberties with the animal perspective, 'The Star (2017)' is a faith-based film that respectfully portrays the Nativity story and affirms central Christian beliefs, explicitly referring to Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah.
The film explicitly refers to Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah in dialogue, affirming core Christian beliefs. While incorporating talking animals and comedic elements, it generally depicts key biblical events such as the Annunciation and the birth of Jesus in a manner considered respectful and faithful to the biblical narrative by most Christian reviewers.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Recommended for ages 6 and up due to mild peril, slapstick violence, and the thematic element of King Herod's hunter pursuing Mary and Joseph. While much of the content is lighthearted, younger or more sensitive children may find some chase scenes and implied threats frightening.
Additional Notes
The film's runtime is 86 minutes. There are no known extended or director's cuts, and it is a standalone production without sequels or adaptations that introduce new or intensified content. Some reviews note that while the film's humor and animal perspective appeal to children, some adults might find the blend of spirituality and slapstick uneven.
Related Reviews
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