Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Brainsbell The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

merrillmount There are so many things wrong with this movie. I am fine that they wanted to make a speculative movie about Jesus as a youth, but at least use the facts we do know. Let's start with the fact that they have him meet the Wise Men as a babe. He was close to 2 years old when they arrive. Also Joseph and Mary had left prior to the children being killed. Then the reason they leave Egypt since they are told it is safe. Ummmm, this movie is all about it not being safe. Then they have him going to the temple at age 7, he was 12. And why do they always have Jesus not knowing who he is? I am pretty certain Joseph and Mary told Christ who He was from the earliest days. And even if they didn't He would know since He is the Son of God. Yes everyone knows the secret that He is God except Him. I don't buy it. About the only thing they got correct was I am sure Satan tried to tempt him. Serious Train Wreck!

Jordana Walsh I am usually not a fan of too many Christian movies because of the often cringe-worthy acting, directing, overly obvious and predictable story lines (obviously not applicable to historical movies), etc. However, this movie, from the acting, to the cinematography and story line was absolutely riveting and simply beautiful. I highly recommend it. I usually do not write reviews, but I was so moved by this movie that I felt it was appropriate to do so. I plan to buy the DVD because I loved this film so much, I want to own it. It's now one of my top movies along with Funny Face, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Quo Vadis, The Greatest Story Ever told, and the Passion. I felt it was a much stronger and much better film than Risen, which struggled, in my opinion, in the story line even with such talented cast. The young Messiah is a fabulous movie, the casting was perfect and the actor that played Jesus was excellent. The film does a great job of portraying how Christ as fully human and fully God, "continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him". Luke 2:40. I felt the marketing for this movie felt short, maybe due to budget constraints, but I did not see as much of it on social media, or even advertisements. I hope it makes enough on DVD sales because I would like to see more movies like it. I hope this review is helpful and wish everyone a wonderful week!

bja-58212 A wonderful movie. The Young Messiah is well performed, well directed and beautifully shot. Each actor is to be commended in their performance. The message of redemption, which is at the heart of Christianity, is beautifully shown when the Roman soldier, Severus, haunted by his past actions in Bethlehem, defies Herod's orders to kill Jesus and lets him go. This facing up to and acknowledgement that, at the end of the day, we are all responsible for our own decisions/actions is a lesson relevant to us all today.Some people have criticised the movie for what they call 'Biblical inaccuracies'. However, the film states very clearly - on screen - in writing - that it depicts an IMAGINED year in the life of Jesus as a child. The Bible itself does not record the childhood of Jesus so therefore the movie cannot really be accused of contradicting it.

cultfilmfan On seeing the new film, The Young Messiah about Jesus's life as a child, there is a couple of things that I had to keep in mind before I saw the film and afterwards too. I think these same points will be helpful for those who go to see the film as well. First off being the fact that in the four gospel accounts of Christ's life, there is really not too much mentioned about his childhood. Most of the information that the Bible gives us about his early life is related to his birth and the nativity story which most Christians, or people in general will know fairly well especially around Christmastime. The other events of his early life such as we read about how Mary and Joseph bring the child to Jerusalem, to present him to God, and we read that in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon, who was just and devout and who was waiting for the consolation of Israel and he had the Holy Spirit upon him. After having a revelation about him not seeing his own death before he saw the Lord's Christ, he blessed the infant Jesus and also told Mary that this child would be the fall and rising of many in Israel and even knew then how Jesus would eventually die and suffer for sins (although Mary and Joseph perhaps did not understand that at the time). This was all as he was still an infant and the only account of him being of advanced age is when Mary and Joseph accidentally leave him behind at the temple and the many teachers and rulers of the law were astounded by his knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. That was when he was twelve years old and that is as young as we get, or the only instant of him as a child growing up other than being an infant (you may also want to consider the nativity story itself as well as Anna the prophetess being in a similar situation as Simeon and being completely overjoyed by his birth). That is more, or less what the Bible and the gospels tell of his infancy and childhood. Another thing to keep in mind is that The Young Messiah, is based upon a novel by Anne Rice. This is the same Anne Rice, who gave us Interview with the Vampire and Exit to Eden, so we know she has a creative imagination, but could she give us a Biblically inspired film that for the most part would take a great deal of creative liberty because of the facts stated above that we really do not have that information present to us. Could she successfully translate and make a story and now a film about it? The answer is a surprising yes, but when I say that you have to keep a couple of things in mind. The film takes a lot of liberties and there is probably more in this film that is unBiblical as opposed to true. Also the Catholic doctrine plays heavily into this film and if you are from another denomination your views, or opinions of the film will tend to be in jeopardy perhaps. There is also crucial things such as most of the actors do not look like they come from Jerusalem, or are from that part of the world and also many of these actors seem to speak with a British accent which will not win everybody over either. The film as it stands is more of a thought provoking piece and more, or less an interesting piece of fiction for the most part that takes well known beliefs and events and puts an author's creative spin on it. For the most part the film manages to make you look at things in other ways (which sometimes may be good and bad), but also manages to entertain and move you at the same time. This will probably not go down as one of the best Biblical films ever made, but for what it is, it is generally well made and I think that the film does force you to confront what you believe and generally embrace your beliefs which is a strong point to the film and while I do not think that it is the type of film to convert any unbelievers, I do feel that it will have you thinking and generally it is a moving if altogether pleasant film that is probably a lot better than you would anticipate, but at the same time not an accurate film that you would show to your Bible study group either.