The Young Messiah Blu-ray Review

The 1080p presentation of "The Young Messiah" on Blu-ray showcases impeccable clarity and notable detail, attributes that stem from its digital source, shot using Red Epic cameras. The transfer succeeds in delivering a finely-textured visual experience, particularly noticeable in patchwork garments, Roman armor, and the rocky terrain. Close-up shots of robes offer a stunning level of intimate detail that captures the finest points of the fabric. The film mainly features earthy browns and tans, minimally contrasted by the rich greenery and the red accents of Roman soldiers. While the overall image is impressive, some noise does interfere, especially in low-light scenes.

Colors are predominantly warm with yellow earth tones and natural flesh tones. However, there are occasional discrepancies such as the blue sky appearing slightly pale and red blood taking on an orange hue. Despite these minor issues, the color reproduction remains largely pleasing. Black levels are deep and add a significant sense of depth to the image, with no noticeable crush even in night scenes or complex interiors like Herod's court. Noise and slight banding are rare and do not detract substantially from the viewing experience. Overall, Universal offers a robust visual transfer that, while not perfect, aptly renders the film's aesthetic intentions.

The audio presentation of "The Young Messiah" on Blu-ray features a technically proficient DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This mix predominantly emphasizes front-heavy elements, notably delivering dialogue with exceptional clarity and positioning in the front-center channel. While the music doesn't aggressively extend into the rear channels, the front elements benefit from solid clarity and well-defined spacing. Outdoor atmospherics and large gatherings enhance the auditory experience with mild yet crucial use of the rear channels, providing a localized sense of immersion.

The English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio mix is both strong and stable, skillfully maintaining engagement through various atmospheric sound elements during quieter moments. The surround channels are effectively employed for action sequences and crowd scenes, substantially heightening immersion. John Debney's score contributes significantly to the fullness of the mix, even though it echoes themes from his work on "The Passion of the Christ." The soundtrack excels in imaging with strong channel movement and maintains well-balanced levels, requiring minimal volume adjustments throughout the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Young Messiah" offers a solid selection of bonus features that provide insightful behind-the-scenes content. The Deleted Scenes section includes minor yet valuable extensions, giving fans a little extra glimpse into the film’s narrative. The Making of The Young Messiah featurette provides an engaging blend of cast and crew interviews with behind-the-scenes footage, delving into the film's origins, budget constraints, casting, and location choices. Additionally, the Audio Commentary by Director and Co-Writer Cyrus Nowrasteh and Co-Writer Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh explores various aspects of production, including adapting Anne Rice's novel, shooting complications with child actors, and set construction, although it sometimes lacks depth in story exploration.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Various scene extensions adding up to 6:52 minutes.
• The Making of The Young Messiah: Behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews and production insights.
• Audio Commentary: Conversational track with director and co-writer detailing production challenges and creative processes.

"The Young Messiah" offers a thought-provoking narrative that fills the gaps of Jesus' childhood, a period scarcely documented in biblical texts. The film treads a fine line between creative imagination and historical fiction, embodying more than its fair share of liberties while consciously portraying Jesus' divine nature. Adam Greaves-Neal's performance as young Jesus embodies innocence, confusion, and latent divinity, though his British accent might be jarring for some viewers. The film meticulously recreates ancient settings with an authentic sense of simplicity and vitality, supplemented by solid performances across the board. Sara Lazzaro and Vincent Walsh portray Mary and Joseph with concerned realism, although their roles lack depth.

The storyline follows young Jesus and his family navigating a life marked by mysterious incidents and miracles. Particularly compelling is how the narrative integrates Jesus' miraculous abilities—such as bringing a dead boy back to life—alongside his growing awareness of his divine identity. Herod’s relentless pursuit through his centurion Severus, convincingly portrayed by Sean Bean, injects a palpable tension.

However, the film occasionally falters under the weight of expectations tied to its religious content. It avoids delving into moral complexities that could have provided deeper insights into Jesus’ character, such as the ethical implications of His miraculous acts. Satan's temptations are portrayed with non-subtle imagery, which may polarize the audience depending on their religious inclinations.

Overall, "The Young Messiah" is a competently made film with solid production values and performances, particularly for those interested in a respectful yet imaginative exploration of Jesus' formative years. It thrives on its craft but may lack the profound depth that some viewers might seek in a narrative about such a significant historical figure.

"The Young Messiah" endeavors to explore the early life of Jesus, presenting a narrative that is inherently divisive. The film artfully walks a fine line between fact and fiction, with strong production design and commendable performances. While it does evoke elements reminiscent of "Risen" in its speculative storytelling, the film ultimately offers a compelling glimpse into an often overlooked period of Jesus' life. However, the film's potential is somewhat undermined by its surface-level treatment of what could have been a profound coming-of-age story.

Universal's Blu-ray release of "The Young Messiah" is technically proficient. The video quality is robust, providing a clear and vivid picture. The audio presentation is solid, delivering dialogue and atmospheric sounds with crispness and depth. Special features, although limited, do offer some insightful background information about the production process and thematic elements of the film.

The Young Messiah strives to extrapolate the story of Jesus' younger days. It's divisive by its very nature. As a film in a vacuum, it's not half bad. Production design is strong, performances are good, and the story is compelling, regardless of how much is fact and how much is fiction. It somewhat resembles Risen, at least insofar as it imagines something beyond the text of the Bible itself. It will be interesting to see if these re-imagined or partially make-believe Bible films will become the new trend and what the reaction to them will be, particularly from the Christian community. Universal's Blu-ray release of The Young Messiah delivers strong video, good audio, and a decent allotment of extra content. Worth a look.