42
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 60VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeAs kid-friendly Christmas movies go, this one actually goes out of its way to remind what the holiday represents, which should please parents looking for something a little more sophisticated (but just barely) than the VeggieTales cartoons.
- 58IGNWilliam BibbianiIGNWilliam BibbianiIf you can get past the many bizarre inconsistencies, The Star is a relatively decent film for young Christian audiences. The writing, voice-acting and animation are unremarkable, but they get the job done, and the film’s heart seems to be in the right place.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe movie delivers a modicum of magic without getting pious or gushy. It never soars, though, or burns especially bright.
- 50Washington PostWashington PostThe movie is sincerely Christian in its outlook, while also a slapstick animal ’toon. It’s a mix that works only intermittently. But when it doesn’t pop, it thuds.
- 50Los Angeles TimesKatie WalshLos Angeles TimesKatie WalshIt's a serviceable animated movie appropriate for the season, but there's nothing beyond its source material that marks it as particularly unique or special.
- Clumsy, derivative, mildly amusing and ultimately forgettable.
- 50RogerEbert.comSusan WloszczynaRogerEbert.comSusan WloszczynaA feature debut that might have its heart in the right place but can’t quite manage to smoothly blend the spiritual with the silly without a few Biblical hitches here and there.
- 42The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyThe A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyThe director, Tim Reckart, is better known for his puppet-based stop-motion (he worked on Anomalisa and was Oscar-nominated for a short film) and seems to be out of his element here.
- 38Slant MagazineKeith WatsonSlant MagazineKeith WatsonDirector Timothy Reckart's The Star turns the greatest story ever told into just another kids' movie.
- 30TheWrapAlonso DuraldeTheWrapAlonso DuraldeThe results are an uncomfortable mixture of sanctimony and silliness.