The Miracle Maker

_The Miracle Maker_ is a stop-motion animated telling of the story of Jesus Christ. The film begins with Jesus preparing for his ministry and then going on to preach and gather disciples, eventually being crucified and rising from the dead. Featuring the voice talents of Ralph Fiennes, Ian Holm, William Hurt, Alfred Molina, David Thewlis, and Emily Mortimer, the cast is quite impressive. As are the puppets; which are remarkably detailed and have a unique look to them. However, the 2D animation, which is used for visions and flashbacks, is not as well-done and is rather generic. Aimed primarily at a child audience, the tone is mostly lighthearted with little comedic bits in how characters move and act. Yet the essence of Christ’s teachings, though simplified a bit, is still here. And Christ’s crucifixion is fairly brutal and intense (as far as G-rated films go). Presenting a unique vision, _The Miracle Maker_ is a powerful and faithful account of the Gospels.