One of the things I lacked while growing up is an introduction to and knowledge of Jesus. It’s odd that someone who went to an Episcopalian elementary school and went to chapel every Friday from 3rd to 6th grade would say that, but there you go. I didn’t really get to KNOW Jesus until later in life when I started learning about my walk in Christ. I do think that introducing kids to Christ is important. It isn’t specifically about forcing them to believe in something as much as it is providing information to learn about a man who has impacted and continues to impact many peoples lives each day. With Tommy Nelson’s new DVD, The Jesus Movie, you can introduce your kids to the man they call Jesus.
About The Jesus Movie
The Jesus Movie is the first ever fully animated Jesus DVD and shares the excitement and joy of Jesus’ life, the danger and conflict with the Pharisees, the challenge and growth of the disciples.
Based on the art style of the Read and Share® Bible, The Jesus Movie transports children to Nazareth for the story of Jesus’ birth, follows his life and miracles along the shores of Lake Galilee and ends in Jerusalem with his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection—all in one dramatic 80-minute movie.
The Review
The Jesus Movie opens with two colorful rabbits hopping up to Mary early in the morning. She casually asks them if they’ve been staying warm and drops them some food. At first, I wasn’t sure why there were rabbits in The Jesus Movie, and then as I kept watching, I realized that the rabbits are actually a very creative way to keep the kid’s attention. Covering the life story of Jesus in an 80 minute animated movie while still be interesting and engaging to kids would obviously be a challenge. Tommy Nelson has faced that challenge by using bright and vibrant colors, unique animation, and smaller touches (like the rabbits) to keep things interesting.
I have to really hand it to the animators and designers who worked on The Jesus Movie. The animation style makes me think of an animated water color, but with deep and vibrant colors that make the scenes beautiful with lots of depth. The writers have tweaked the dialogue of the movie from biblical to casual conversation to make it easier for kids to understand (no King James here!) One line that stands out for me that captures the spirit of the dialogue is when Jesus tells Simon Peter and Andrew, “Nice boat.”
The movie successfully gives an overview of Jesus’s life, from Mary’s visit by an angel to birth to his battles in the desert to turning water into wine and on to his resurrection. Given the condensed format, many of Jesus’s acts needed to be shortened to quick scenes in the movie, but there were still stories that really showed Jesus’s miraculous power – specifically when he healed Peter’s mother-in-law, feeding the crowds of 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish, and walking on water. Now that I ponder it, I do wonder if the some of scenes were selected because children were featured in those stories. If so, that’s another great way to show how children could relate to and have faith in Jesus.
They also did a great job of showing the Pharisees and how they plotted and worked against Jesus, as well as Judas’s betrayal of Jesus. I think that some of those topics could be touchy for kids, but the creators did an excellent job of still conveying the meaning while still being easily digestible for kids. Even the crucifixion was done tactfully by not showing a close up of Jesus on the cross.
When the movie finally ended, I wanted to watch more of Jesus in action. The colors, the unique animation, and the story telling made this a great DVD to introduce kids (and even adults) to the story of Jesus.
Tommy Nelson and The Jesus Movie Online
- Visit the Tommy Nelson Website
- “Like” Tommy Nelson on Facebook
- Follow Tommy Nelson on Twitter
- Purchase the Jesus Movie online
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a free copy of The Jesus Movie from the manufacturer or representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
We’d love the Activity kits!
I subscribe via google reader.
i know my son would like the coloring pages.
tcogbill at live dot com
i get your emails
tcogbill at live dot com
My kids would love the Read and Share: The Ultimate DVD Bible Storybook – Volume 1
I subscribe by email
velvethubler at yahoo dot com
my kids would like Printoons: Noah’s Ark
Storybook Activity Kit – they love doing activities
melissa.barnes76 at yahoo dot com
i subscribe in email
melissa.barnes76 at yahoo dot com
my son loves Hermie: Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends: A Bug Collection DVD Box Set
already subscribed
I would love to get my daughter the GiGi books. I think she would love them when she is a tad bigger.
I get your email.
I like the Noah’s Ark fingerpaint!!
danav27 at gmail dot com
i’m an email subscriber!
danav27 at gmail dot com
I think the kids would love the jesuse calling devotional book. They really do get excited when learning about the lord. I love it.
cmw_2289 at yahoo dot com
My son would like Printoons: Noah’s Ark
Storybook Activity Kit.
my kids would love the 100 Prayers God Loves to Hear, 100 Praise Songs
email subscriber
I think my daughter would love Kate Toms Series: Wheels On The Bus.
email subscriber
I would love to own one of the activity kits, possibly printoon: noah’s ark kit
Printoons is being taken to a whole new height. If you like Printoons, let us know. God bless you.
I’d really like Max Lucado’s book One Hand Two Hand
I’m a subscriber via google reader
I think my daughter would love the book “I Love You More Than Rainbows”.
I subscribe to your Rss feed. [email protected]
Read and Share: The Ultimate DVD Bible Storybook – Volume 1
I Love You More Than Rainbows board book.
Email Subscriber.
The Explorer’s Study Bible – Blue (NKJV)
Email Subscriber.
I would love the Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids when my little ones are a bit older!
“I Love You More Than Rainbows”!
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I really like Really Woolly Bible Stories thanks for the chance to win [email protected]
I subscribe to your blog
My kids would like the Adventures in Booga Booga Land – Volume 1.
My son would enjoy their Adventures in Booga Booga Land – Volume 1 DVD.
I’m an email subscriber.
I think my kids would like the book One hand, two kl
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I subscribed to the WiC Project via Google Reader
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my kids would love the ‘the boy who change the word’ book. my email is littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m