Son of God 2014

Wesley Morris, Grantland: People will always want to spend money for this sort of thing, even if they've already seen it. And in this case, they've literally already seen it. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: I'm pretty much without sin, so gimme some rocks: "Son of God" envisions a J.C. that's strictly J.V. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: What a pleasant surprise: a biblical film that doesn't turn into a gory freak show or a speculation about the marital status of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Read more

Peter Debruge, Variety: This stiff, earnest production plays like a half-hearted throwback to the British-accented biblical dramas of yesteryear, its smallscreen genesis all too apparent in its Swiss-cheese construction and subpar production values. Read more

Ben Kenigsberg, AV Club: The film goes wild with helicopter shots of Jesus and his followers traveling through the hills. Who knew Christ was lord of the rings? Read more

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: One problem is Jesus. Or, more specifically, Diogo Morgado's portrayal of him. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: The condensed "Son of God" tries to relay the messianic story plain and simple. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: Aimed at a devotional middle-American audience, this never risks the sort of individual perspective necessary to bring the story to life onscreen, for good or ill. Read more

Stephan Lee, Entertainment Weekly: At best, this version succeeds as a Sunday school supplement. But the blandness is enough to make you long for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Read more

Jordan Hoffman, Film.com: Considering just how popular Jesus is, you'd think he'd get better treatment Read more

Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: A film that is almost invariably heavy-handed and obvious from beginning to end ... Read more

Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times: The two-hour film condenses about four hours of what already was hasty television, and it all winds up a little dramatically static. Read more

Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News: What this well-intentioned film lacks in poise and polish, it makes up for in what faith-based audiences so hungrily seek: a passionate and compassionate interpretation for family viewing that portrays the Christ story with reverence. Read more

Rafer Guzman, Newsday: The movie feels duty-bound to stay absolutely faithful to its sacred source material. It's the classic dilemma of the proselytizer: How far into the secular world can you go to deliver your message? Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: The film is willing. But its spirit is weak. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: He walks on water, heals the sick and raises the dead. But not even Jesus can transform "Son of God" into a compelling epic. Read more

Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: It's a movie that embraces the nearly pedagogical predictability of lines like "Where's Judas? You seen him?" or "Thomas, stop doubting." Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: They have turned the Christ saga into cheese. As in cheesy. Read more

Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle: Never again will a Sunday school student get lower than a C-minus on this material. Read more

Geoff Pevere, Globe and Mail: By playing it so safely reverential, Son of God tends to plod its way to Calvary, begging to be discussed among Bible study groups and positively name-checked in the Sunday sermons. Read more

Inkoo Kang, TheWrap: Morgado isn't given much to do other than smiling beatifically at dirt-faced extras and occasionally pointing his face toward a holy light shining from above. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Son of God takes no real chances, opting for a moderately involving re-telling of an oft-told story. Read more

Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice: This is more a pageant than a story about characters and their motivations; it's as brusque in its storytelling as an illustrated children's bible, which would at least offer some mystery and grandeur in the composition of its images. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: The target evangelical audience may well respond enthusiastically, but, unless your own salvation is riding on it, the film is mostly a slog. Read more

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: Don't expect to see a great film, or even a very good one. Read more