Son of God

Son of God

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 2/28/14

Reviewed 3/5/14 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This is one of the best accounts of Jesus's life told on the big screen. I don't claim to be a scholar, but it does seem to follow the scripture with a certain amount of accuracy. Gary said he is giving it at least a 4J rating, while I'm a bit tougher on it. We both agree this has quality to it that many religious films don't possess. One aspect where I think writers can do better when telling the story of Jesus, is to emphasize on the triumphant part and not the resurrection. My qualifier, or disqualifier...keep in mind that I am reviewing the movie about the Son of God, not the accuracy or comparison to the Holy Scripture.

Touching on Jesus's birth, the story shifts focus to his three years of ministry, the primary focus of the Gospels. Jesus (Diogo Morgado) calls his original 12 disciples early on. Jesus faces Peter who is about to go out fishing and his famous "I will make you fishers of men" squeezes out the emotion. Jesus and his followers travel to Galilee and word spreads throughout the land of Christ's work and miracles. The Pharisees are beginning to feel the looming threat that Jesus is to them. They spread word to the vile high priest Caiaphas who is based at the temple in Jerusalem. He does not want Jesus to come to the city, especially not during Passover where the audience will be so big.

Jerusalem has the Roman military leader Pontius Pilate presiding over it and keeping the Jews forcibly under control is his only focus. Pilate does not care if this individual that everyone is worried about comes to Jerusalem, because as far as he is concerned Jesus is Caiaphas's problem. However as prophecy foretold throughout the Old Testament, Jesus rides in on a donkey with olive branches being waived in his path to welcome this "savior". In their minds he will save them from the oppressive Roman rule. They are not thinking about the truism that he is meant to save them from their sins.

Keeping a close eye on him, the high priests are increasingly becoming alarmed at Jesus's knowledge and not being able to be tripped up by them. Led by the urging of Caiaphas, they plot to rid of him as soon as possible. Judas, one of the disciples, collaborates with the paranoid religious leaders to betray Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane after the touching Last Supper takes place. The soldiers haul away the Son of God and bring him in front of Pilate with the trumped up charges and conviction. Pilate is reluctant but eventually the contrived agreement from the Jewish people convinces Pilate to go through with their wishes and sentences Jesus to death. Most of the brutal moments from here on until after the horrific crucifixion, I could not watch but it still had its effect. After three days Mary Magdalene discovers the empty grave open where Jesus Christ has been placed and he appears to her. She runs to tell the disciples and they think Mary is crazy, but still a few go to see for themselves. The risen Lord reveals himself to the disciples and appears before them a few more times before the movie concludes with part of the "Great Commission". "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature..." (Mark 16:15). Everyone in the theatre stayed as the credits rolled to revere the moment. It just seemed appropriate. This is a well done story and we should show support of Hollywood producing this meaningful film and maybe they'll release more. I think everyone should see Son of God.

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJJ

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJj