Starring Milo Manheim, Fiona Palomo, Antonio Banderes, and Omid Djalili
Directed by Adam Anders
Music and Lyrics by various
There aren't too many musicals covering the real reason for the Christmas season. Most of the few musicals I know of that discuss the birth of Christ are animated or low-budget. This was released theatrically in 2023, and although it didn't do well at the box office, it's become a bit more widely seen on streaming since then. How does a modern version of the story of Mary, Joseph, and the Three Wise Men look now? Let's begin with those three Wise Men as they realize that a new king is to be born and find out...
The Story: Mary (Palomo) wants to be a teacher, but her father (Antonio Cantos) has her betrothed to a man she's never met. She's furious, and he's not happier. He has his own dreams of becoming an inventor. No one believes Mary when she says the angel Gabriel (Lecrae) comes to her, claiming that she'll have a baby who will be the son of God. Even Joseph doesn't at first, until he finally realizes how much he loves and trusts her.
Even as Joseph decides to trust his wife, egotistical King Harrod (Bandares) is worrying about a prophecy he heard from three rather goofy wise men. Seems there will be a "king of kings" who could potentially take his place among the people. He's not complaining when Caesar Augustus orders all of his people to travel to Bethehem for a census and be counted. Joseph worries that Mary can't make the trip, and when they do finally arrive, there's only room in a stable for them. That turns out to be more than enough for their new family. The Three Wise Men have been searching for them too, but all they have to do is talk to shepherds and follow a certain star to see a baby born in a manger who will become one of the most important religious beings on the planet.
The Song and Dance: This is...not what I was expecting. I figured we'd get something subdued, quiet. What we got amounted to a Disney Channel musical with a religious theme. That's not to say it doesn't have some virtues. Palomo is a lovely, feisty Mary, while Banderes is a wonderfully hissable and egotistical King Harrod, and even the Wise Men occasionally get a funny line or gag. There's also the dusty yellow backdrop, a golden, ancient Spain representing the Holy Lands.
The Numbers: We open with a young woman beginning "O Come All Ye Faithful" over the credits as the Wise Men travel to Jerusalem before it Segways into the title song and the oldest-known still performed Christmas song, "O Come O Come Emmanuel." "Mary's Getting Married" her sisters and the women of the town sing in delight during our first chorus number. Mary's not buying their claim it'll be "good for her." She only sees herself having to give up her dreams of teaching. Harrod claims to his followers that it's "Good To Be the King." Mary and Joseph are more concerned about their fracturing engagement as they wonder "Can We Make This Work?"
After Gabriel arrives, Mary claims she's now "The Mother to a Savior and King." Joseph's worried that his wife's belief in her immaculate conception may be "The Ultimate Deception." The Three Wise Men claim they are those "Three Wise Guys." Joseph and Mary grow closer during their trip to Bethlehem, where "We Become We." Antipater (Joel Smallbone), the husband of Deborah (Moriah Smallbone), insists that the baby his older wife has created is "In My Blood." "The Nativity Song" is a medley of Christmas carols based around the birth of Christ, revealing the angel Gabriel and the true "king of kings" born in a humble manger. The movie ends with "Brand New Life" over the end credits.
What I Don't Like: Between the nice but largely unmemorable pop songs, the presence of bland but likable Manheim, and the side plot with the too-goofy (not very) Wise Men trying to figure out what's going on, this really feels more like a Disney Channel musical than one that was released on the big screen. They're not going for historical accuracy, either. (Admittedly, they do make this clear right before the end credits.) If you're looking for a darker, more "accurate" version of the Nativity story, this isn't it.
The Big Finale: Worth checking out at least once for families with older kids and tweens looking for a religious musical or a Nativity film.
Home Media: Easily found on disc and streaming.
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