Rating of
1/4
Zzz...
Unknown - wrote on 05/03/16
How many times do we need to see another 'T.V. movie' quality rendition of the life of Jesus? Apparently, 101. 'The Young Messiah' at least offers a new angle into the much overly traversed biblical figure, in that the film's entire story centers on a brief period in Jesus's childhood when he first learns that he is the son of God. There are a few individual scenes that highlight this approach to the title character. We see the boy mature ever so slightly (despite already acting like a mature adult from the beginning). Watching his mother, father, and brother come to terms with the revelation of his origins and doing their best to raise him is handled in a somewhat nuanced fashion. This generates a little interest in what is otherwise another bible story retelling dressed up in slightly different clothes. It was enough to at least hold a glimmer of my attention through the slog of extremely slow paced, uninteresting dialogues that fill the two hour runtime. Nothing of investment or entertaining value happens along this tedious trek. I was definitely BORED all the way through. With better direction, actors, and a sense of conviction, it could've been at the very least average. The addition of cliched bible movie moments weighed down on the seriousness at play, as well. There was potential for something more than a straight up snooze-fest.
