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6 Degrees Entertainment

Journey To Bethlehem
(Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Antonio Banderas, et al / Blu-ray + Digital / PG / 2023 / Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Overview: A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown.

This live-action Christmas musical celebration for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling of the timeless story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it.

Blu-ray Verdict: In truth, Fiona Palomo blew me away with her performance re: gorgeous voice and facial expressions that blended the perfect amount of suffering with resolve. I am a HUGE fan of her now!

Furthermore, I loved the character development of Mary as she struggled to be OK with the direction her life was taking. I just wish her character was developed a bit more to fulfillment in the end. It would have been great for her to explain to little Jesus that her desire to be a teacher was fulfilled when she was able to teach HIM all she knew.

Regardless, I was excited initially to see this movie because it features Milo Manheim as Joseph, and I Love him from Disney’s Zombies. He’s amazing in the Disney series and just as incredible in this movie. His sweet and quirky charm, looks, and singing voice really set him apart as an actor.

Overall I love the movie and plan to see it again, but the plot development that flowed so nicely up until Mary and Joseph were married really let me down in the end, sorry. For me, I wish that Mary had a song while she was giving birth (something like Lord deliver me, as I deliver you! crying out as she’s in labor!

Personally, I hate it when labor scenes are diminished to a woman sitting up on a pillow and yelling for a moment before a baby pops out. I feel that portrayal really takes away from the miracle and the depth of actual pain it takes to accomplish it is diminished. (rant over).

I also wish with all my heart there was an ending song that featured all the main characters! I was actually really looking forward to such a thing. This would have been the perfect way to integrate everyone into the plot resolution at the end and be such a fun song.

I think I expected it based on how things went and thus was a little disappointed when it didn’t happen, but that’s on me. The ending was good, but not as Wow as I had wished for, I guess is a better way to put it.

Anyway, as far as Antonio Banderas as Herod, well, I am please to say he has a great voice and his character development was well thought out. His son’s song was really the culmination of Herod’s character, but wasn’t enough for me, as I was enjoying seeing him on my screen.

I also really appreciated the song where he walked through the crowd and acted evil, but more time could should perhaps have been given to a deeper development of other characters, such as the Shepherd and, to be frank, the whole Mary and Joseph relationship. That all said, I also LOVED the voice of the random girl who helped the magi and was hoping she would get more time - she didn’t!)

I also would have LOVED a bigger song for Jesus’s birth from the angels. I mean, having the shepherds sing Angels we have heard on high"while the Angels sing alleluia or something mashed up would have been really cool, in my humble opinion.

Overall the vibe of this movie is truly great. It’s eccentric, quirky, it is a really fun and modern take on a classical story and, for me, I think everyone will quickly become a fan of the costumes and the magi’s interior decorating skills!

www.sphe.com





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