The Star
Detailed parental analysis
The Star of Christmas is a family animated film with a light and joyful tone, carried by a warm atmosphere and humour accessible to young children. The plot follows Bo, a village donkey, who decides to escape his everyday life and finds himself caught up, along with his animal friends, in Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The film is clearly aimed at children from nursery school onwards and into early primary school, with an explicit grounding in the Christian tradition of the Nativity.
Underlying Values
The film rests on an avowed religious reading of the Nativity: faith in God, acceptance of a divine plan that transcends human understanding, and the particular calling of certain beings to accomplish a sacred mission are structuring themes. This framework is not merely decorative; it is the engine of the narrative. For Christian families, it is a coherent narrative introduction to the meaning of Christmas. For non-religious families or those of different traditions, it is worth anticipating the questions the film will naturally raise in the child about God, angels and destiny, and deciding in advance how to address them. The values of friendship, courage and mutual aid between Bo, Dave and Ruth constitute a second, more universal level of reading, but they remain embedded within this spiritual framework.
Violence
The violence is of the slapstick variety and presents no moral ambiguity: falls, carts crashing, objects falling on characters. These sequences are clearly comedic and without lasting consequences for the characters. However, two attack dogs constitute the main threat in the film and generate chase scenes with genuine tension, imminent bites and sustained aggressive behaviour. These sequences may frighten very young children or those who are afraid of dogs. The threat is real within the narrative framework, even though it is resolved without serious violence. This is the only element likely to disturb a child under 5 years old.
Language
The register is broadly clean and suited to a young audience. A light scatological allusion, carried by the dove character, constitutes the only notable departure from appropriate language. It is treated in a humorous manner and does not exceed what is commonly found in animated films for children.
Discrimination
The human characters, Mary, Joseph and Herod, are depicted with physical features consistent with their Near Eastern origin: dark hair, Mediterranean appearance. This representation is faithful to the historical and geographical context of the narrative and constitutes a choice of coherence rather than a problematic stereotype. There is no caricature or unequal treatment to note.
Strengths
The film honestly fulfils its function as a first narrative encounter with the story of the Nativity for young children. The choice to tell the event from the perspective of the animals is a simple but effective idea for maintaining the attention of the very young whilst preserving the sacred dimension of the narrative. The animal characters are endearing and well differentiated, which facilitates identification. The pacing is brisk without being exhausting. This is not an artistically ambitious animated film, but it accomplishes what it promises with sincerity and without condescension towards its young audience.
Age recommendation and discussion points
The film is suitable from 5 to 6 years old for peaceful viewing, with caution for very young children or those sensitive to chase scenes involving dogs. Two angles of discussion are worth pursuing after viewing: ask the child what he thinks about the fact that Bo, a simple donkey, plays an important role in a great story, to explore with him the idea that everyone can matter, regardless of their size or status. And, depending on the family context, address the question of what Christmas means beyond gifts, drawing on what the film tells.
Synopsis
A small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the greatest story ever told: the first Christmas.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2017
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Timothy Reckart
- Main cast
- Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Kris Kristofferson, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Patricia Heaton
- Studios
- Franklin Entertainment, Sony Pictures Animation, Columbia Pictures, The Jim Henson Company, Walden Media, Affirm Films
Content barometer
- Violence2/5Moderate
- Fear2/5A few scenes
- Sexuality0/5None
- Language1/5Mild
- Narrative complexity1/5Accessible
- Adult themes0/5None
Values conveyed
- Courage
- Friendship
- Acceptance of difference
- Perseverance
- Loyalty
- helpfulness
- faith