Watch Chasing the Star

Chasing the Star is a 2017 independent film, directed by Bret Miller, that tells the story of the three wise men on their journey to Bethlehem to see the birth of Jesus Christ. Despite being a period piece, the film stays true to its religious roots and offers a unique take on the classic story. The movie opens with a mysterious man who closely resembles Jesus Christ walking in the desert, where he is confronted by a group of soldiers. Through a series of events, he miraculously disappears, leaving his cross behind for the soldiers to find.

In a remote village, the three wise men are traveling together as they follow the North Star to find the child who will become the savior of humanity. Along the way, they encounter a band of bandits who have robbed a caravan, leaving several innocent people stranded in the middle of the desert with no resources or protection. The wise men decide to help and take the group under their wing, leading them to the nearest town.

Once in town, they encounter a man named King Herod, who becomes obsessed with the idea of finding and killing the newborn king to protect his own power. The wise men become embroiled in a conflict with Herod's soldiers and are forced to split up to avoid being captured.

Simultaneously, two other storylines develop in the film. The first reveals a boy named Samuel, who discovers a valuable treasure guarded by a group of criminals. The second follows a woman named Brandy, who is on the run from an abusive husband and seeks refuge in a church.

All three stories come together when the wise men find Samuel as he is being attacked by the same criminals who were guarding the treasure. As the group travels towards Bethlehem, they are constantly pursued by Herod's soldiers, leading to several tense moments and action scenes.

One of the standout aspects of Chasing the Star is its use of biblical references and symbolism. For example, the desert is often used as a metaphor for the spiritual journey, and the wise men represent the three virtues of faith, hope, and love. Even the villains in the film are given depth, with Herod's motive to protect his power being portrayed as equally complex as the wise men's search for the messiah.

The film also boasts a strong cast, with veteran actors like Rance Howard and Terence Knox giving standout performances. Yancy Butler also shines as the troubled Brandy, and the young actor who plays Samuel holds his own in a cast of experienced actors.

While Chasing the Star may not be for everyone, those looking for a family-friendly religious adventure with moments of drama and action will certainly enjoy this film. The movie strikes a good balance between recreating the historical period and telling a story that feels relevant to modern audiences.

In conclusion, Chasing the Star is a unique and compelling retelling of the story of the three wise men that manages to be both religious and entertaining. The film's strong cast and use of biblical symbolism elevates the story and makes it a memorable experience.

Chasing the Star is a 2016 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.1.