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The Nativity Story is a dull retelling of a well-worn tale with the look and feel of a high-school production.
All Critics (129) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (81) | DVD (8)
Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with preaching to the converted -- secular Hollywood does it all the time. But I confess I wish the movie had some of the passion of The Passion of the Christ. Jul 9, 2007 | Full Review…
Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with preaching to the converted -- secular Hollywood does it all the time. But I confess I wish the movie had some of the passion of The Passion of the Christ.
Tom Charity
We just haven't had too many films that concentrate on this story. Dec 4, 2006
We just haven't had too many films that concentrate on this story.
Richard Roeper
...a filmed Sunday-school lesson that favors a dry, by-the-Book approach over even a suggestion of dramatic interpretation. It's more Christmas pageant than movie. Dec 2, 2006 | Rating: C+
...a filmed Sunday-school lesson that favors a dry, by-the-Book approach over even a suggestion of dramatic interpretation. It's more Christmas pageant than movie.
Keith Phipps
I have to hand it to Hardwicke: I was a lot less bored by The Nativity Story than I feared I'd be. Dec 1, 2006
I have to hand it to Hardwicke: I was a lot less bored by The Nativity Story than I feared I'd be.
Stephanie Zacharek
It's not exactly the dullest story ever told, but it's certainly not the greatest. Dec 1, 2006 | Rating: 2/4
It's not exactly the dullest story ever told, but it's certainly not the greatest.
Claudia Puig
The Nativity Story may prove just idiosyncratic enough to alienate the doctrinaire believers but not quite weird enough to appeal to revisionists, cultists or regular holiday moviegoers. Dec 1, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
The Nativity Story may prove just idiosyncratic enough to alienate the doctrinaire believers but not quite weird enough to appeal to revisionists, cultists or regular holiday moviegoers.
Geoff Pevere
The Bible on the big screen: New take on old tale. Jan 1, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
The Bible on the big screen: New take on old tale.
Jane Boursaw
Frankly, anyone could have made this movie in the particular way it's presented. Nov 7, 2009 | Rating: 5/10 | Full Review…
Frankly, anyone could have made this movie in the particular way it's presented.
Jeffrey Chen
A series of tasteful, stultifying reverent postcards, shorn of life, awe, mystery Aug 28, 2009 | Full Review…
A series of tasteful, stultifying reverent postcards, shorn of life, awe, mystery
Fernando F. Croce
If nothing else, it is refreshing to see a Christmas movie that actually has something to do with Christmas! Jul 10, 2007 | Full Review…
If nothing else, it is refreshing to see a Christmas movie that actually has something to do with Christmas!
Felix Gonzalez Jr.
A perfectly good cast is undone by a mish-mash of thick accents that are at moments impenetrable. Mar 1, 2007 | Full Review…
A perfectly good cast is undone by a mish-mash of thick accents that are at moments impenetrable.
Frank Lovece
In essence, the film is exactly what one comes to expect in the telling of the story. Hardwicke brings absolutely nothing to the table, except for a colorless palette. The actors struggle to invest what are essentially plaster saints with some verve, but Jan 11, 2007 | Rating: C | Full Review…
In essence, the film is exactly what one comes to expect in the telling of the story. Hardwicke brings absolutely nothing to the table, except for a colorless palette. The actors struggle to invest what are essentially plaster saints with some verve, but
Ted Murphy
I wasn't sure what to really expect from this, especially given how I was hesitant to ever see it...and that was before I knew who Catherine Hardwicke was, and way before Twilight. I finally sat down and watched it (not much better to do when one can't sleep a day or two after Christmas)..truth is...this actually isn't too bad. It's not a great movie, but it's decent enough, and worth a watch once in a while. Tjis is actually a quite faithful and thoughtful take on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It's powerful, and moving, and all of that sentimental stuff, but that doesn'ty take away from the fact that even then, it's got some good camera work (although I wish the film didn't look so washed out), okay performances, and is very accessible. Also, there's a lot of great anthropological/cultural/historical type stuff on display, and not only is it done well, I was surprised it was there (in a good way). This is no masterpiece, but it does the story justice.
Super Reviewer
Christmas Move Review Mania Episode #1: The Nativity Story It's the last day of November and people around the world are preparing for the Christmas season. I am to and welcome to Christmas Movie Review Mania! I will be writing reviews of Christmas movies up until the big day. This won't be a daily thing. To start off, I will review a film that promotes the true meaning of Christmas: The Nativity Story. The film is a retelling of Mary and Joseph story. Despite the fact that Mary is a virgin, God makes her the mother of Jesus Christ. Her and her arranged husband, Joseph travel to Bethlehem in order to pay their taxes and give birth to the child as well. Meanwhile, the Wise Men are on their way to meet the child and King Herod make a plan to massacre baby boys and the Son of God himself. The cinematography is amazing and realistic and Catherine Hardwickes's direction (she also helmed Twilight) is wonderful. The acting is good. I don't see why many critics hated it. Mary's actress added much emotion into her character. Oscar Isaac was awesome as Joseph. The supporting cast delivers as well. A beautiful film that everyone needs to see this season. I mean it! "I wonder if I will even be able to teach him anything."
this film has not been well recieved, but it was powerful. there were a few small inaccuracies as far as consitency to Scripture, but the film was well made and well played. I'll watch this every Christmas from now on.
Well, if you have ever sat through a Christmas play, you know the story already. The movie was OK - nothing earth-shattering. I didn't realize the middle east was as dry as this movie portrays it.
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