The Star

Sony Animation's take on the Nativity story through the eyes of the animals is exactly what you'd expect: colorful, energetic, family-friendly, and not particularly deep. Steven Yeun voices Bo the donkey with likable pluck, and the supporting animal cast (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Clarkson, and others) provides steady comic relief. The film works best for its target audience — kids under 10 who need a gentle, entertaining introduction to the Christmas story. The animation is solid if not Pixar-level, and some of the action sequences (a chase scene with Herod's dogs) are surprisingly well-paced. Where it feels thin is in the human characterization — Mary and Joseph are pleasant but bland, which is a missed opportunity. The film also can't quite decide whether it wants to be reverent or silly, and the tonal shifts can be jarring. Tyler Perry as a camel and Oprah Winfrey as a horse are... choices. But for a family movie night during Advent, it gets the job done with enough charm to keep everyone watching.