Son of God at two hours and half covers Jesus' Birth, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Return. Because the film covers thirty three years of Christ's life, it is character driven plot. The film quickly gets to Jesus and His Disciples. In a scene shown in many trailers, Jesus goes to Peter who is fishing. We have in Church heard this story many times and even those who are familiar with Jesus can recall almost the entire scene word for word, but Diogo Mogada brings something more to this scene. He shows a playful, humorous and caring Christ. Jesus wades into the water to get in Peter's boat, despite the protestations of soon to be disciple Peter. While Jesus watches Peter bring in the miraculous catch of fish, it is Jesus' face that commands attention. He is smiling and has look of laughter at Peter's unbelief and then seeing Peter pull in the miracle.
Another scene that is powerful is when Jesus is gathering his Disciples. He goes to the tax collection and sees a tax collector there. A Pharisee or Legalistic Law Giver says the tax collector is filthy and should not be approached. Jesus approaches the tax collector who looks at him with sorrow in his eyes. Jesus says, "A Pharisee and Tax collector go to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee says to God that he is pleased that he is so righteous and not like other people. The Tax Collector says to the Lord I need your mercy, I am a sinner. God accepts the prayer of the Tax Collector." Then Jesus offers his hand to the tax collector and says to him "come, follow me, Matthew." This is powerful moment to show that Jesus looks at the heart and that it is better to be humble then be proud.
The next scene that really resonated with me is when Jesus feeds the 5,000 with two fish and only a little bit of bread. After he has done the miracle and fed them, the people cry out "Melech (king) Messiah" Jesus' face goes from a smile to a frown and he leaves distressed. It is clear that Christ does not want to be the political king that Israel wants, he has come to bring salvation not the sword.
Another scene that is profound is when Jesus goes into the Temple at Jerusalem. He walks up the stairs and finds the money changers. He burst of anger and throwing the tables over is not wrath as it has been depicted in other movies, but anger mixed with grief. He is grieved that "His House of Prayer has been turned into a den of thieves." You sense thanks to Montego's acting that Jesus is being moved to righteous indignation because he is profoundly heartbroken that the place where the Father is to be worshipped and prayed to has become a market.
When Jesus is on Via Del Rosa "The Way of Suffering", he falls with his cross and Mary, his mother comes to him. There Jesus tells his mother not to be afraid. She then helps him lift the cross and lean it on his shoulder. Some critics who are not Catholic might take offense at this because it suggests that Mary partakes in Christ's suffering. I say this is unfounded. It is showing that Mary is releasing her son to His Heavenly Father's Will. She is accepting that he must die on the cross and instead of trying to drag him away to safety, helps him pick up the rood once more and continue on the road to Golgotha.
The final scene that I felt really moved my soul was when Jesus is about to ascend and he gives The Great Commission. After Jesus has ascended, Peter stands on the rock and addresses his "Brothers and Sisters," telling them "They have much work to do." Then the eleven, plus twelve when you count Mary Magdalene, walk across a desert plain towards a village. The scene is breathtaking, because they are going to share the Gospel and all save one will perish for the sake of Christ.
Son of God is a sensation film. Its best moments are when Jesus is relating to the downcast and when the Disciples are featured. This film focuses on the relationships between the Master and his Servants, between those Servants or Disciples and each other. The Crucifixion is paramount, but when you have seen The Passion of the Christ, any crucifixion scene pales in comparison. Still, the crucifixion is well done in a less gruesome sense and is pivotal in the Gospel sharing of the film. With no cross and crucifixion of Christ there is no salvation.
It is important that we be generous when reviewing Son of God. It covers much of The Four Gospels and thus must omit or not spend as much time on certain events. The Passion of the Christ is Jesus film to see if you want the most realistic and accurate crucifixion, The Jesus ABC Mini Series has the best Temptation in the Wilderness Scene, and The Nativity is the best film that covers Jesus' Birth. The three movies I have mentioned explore these three major moments of Christ's life and death in greater detail. Son of God is focusing on different level. It is looking at the relationships and it endeavors to evangelize. I must say that Diogo Mogada conveys the Christ I know best, one full of compassion. He is without a doubt a Jesus that connects with you on screen. Jim Caveziel who played Jesus in The Passion was fantastic, he was kind and not to mention had to speak actual Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (the languages spoken during the time of Jesus). Jeremy Sisto was also very compassionate in his actions on screen, however Diogo Mogada without a doubt has the sweetest, kindest, and most tender face and demeanor. Diogo's eyes should receive an award, he is able to convey a variety of emotions and display with them nothing less than a hint of divinity.
Here is my top three Jesus Films with comparisons to Son of God:
1. The Passion of the Christ
Mel Gibson spent 12 years researching in the Holy Land and Rome to give audiences the most realistic and accurate crucifixion. Aside from the most realistic crucifixion, this film has the original languages used during the days of Jesus, brilliant costumery , cinematography, and a real anointing of the Holy Spirit. See this because Son of God's crucifixion cannot even compare to the Passion. But be warned it is hard to watch and will move you to tears.
Pros: Most epic film of Jesus. Original Languages. Most detailed crucifixion. Best costumes and acting.
Cons: The gore can be too much for some people to endure.
2. Son of God
Roma Downey and her husband worked hard to give the most relatable and compassionate story of Christ. This is the film to see if you want to connect to Jesus on screen and see how his message stirred his Disciples. This also has the most contemporary language and thus will be easier to understand than say The Passion, which requires reading subtitles the entire film.
Pros: Best Jesus before and after Crucifixion. Most likable and easy to connect to Disciples. Only film to feature a part of Revelation.
Cons: Crucifixion cannot compare to the Passion of the Christ.
3. Jesus (ABC Mini-Series)
This mini-series does an excellent job of telling Jesus' life from carpenter to Christ. In particular this is the movie to see just to watch Jesus battle the Devil. Not only is The Temptation in the Wilderness done inventively, Satan appears again at Gethsemane and you see the future were people will use Jesus for evil causes (not Biblical, but seeing The Crusades, WWI, and Witch Trials makes it epic). See this because "Son of God" does not feature the conflict between Christ and the devil; Satan was cut out of the film.
Pros: Playful Jesus. Relatable Disciples. Best John the Baptist. Best Satan. Best Herod Antipas.
Cons: Confusion about divinity in The Wilderness and some might not like that Mary, Martha's Sister has crush on Jesus and wants to marry him. He of course does not marry her, but since the advent of the Da Vinci Code Heresy, this could really bother believers.
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