Family Movie Reviews: 'Wicked,' 'Gladiator II,' 'Bonhoeffer'

'Bonhoeffer' tells the story of the famous pacifist Lutheran preacher who, after searching for his soul, took part in a plot to assassinate Hitler. Families and fans alike want to know: Does the beloved magical musical 'Wicked' transition well from stage to screen? It's been 24 years since director Ridley Scott last visited the Roman Colosseum. But “Gladiator II” proves that not much has changed.

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Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Murderer. – In theaters

“When Christ calls a man, He commands him to come and die.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes this in 'The Cost of Discipleship'.

The Lutheran pastor lived at a time when he became acutely aware of the price of faith. To be a Christian means to make yourself an enemy of the world. And Bonhoeffer's enemies, true to the promise of Christ, hated him as they hated Christ.

During World War II, battlefields were littered with rubble and bullet-filled bodies. And in Nazi Germany, faithful Christians also faced a mental battlefield: how to respond to their nation, which so zealously abandoned its faith to follow an evil man who commanded others to follow him into evil.

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Many before Bonhoeffer's time said, “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.” But there was a bigger question wrestling with Bonhoeffer's mind: Does that resistance extend all the way to killing an evil tyrant?

Throughout history, Christians have answered that question in different ways. And in 'Bonhoeffer' we see this pacifist preacher ultimately conclude: Yes, that's right.

“Bonhoeffer” depicts many important events in the man's life: from his studies in America, which shaped his faith, to the events in Germany that slowly put him to work to bring down Hitler.

Aside from Bonhoeffer's views on cheap versus expensive grace (and the aforementioned struggle against Christian pacifism), we don't see much of Bonhoeffer's theological ideas. Instead, “Bonhoeffer” spends most of its time showing exactly what the pastor means when he speaks of a faith that motivates us to action—and a faith that may ultimately require us to lay down our lives.

Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.

Wicked: Part 1 – In theaters

From the moment 'Wicked' first hit the stage in 1995, the audience was there enchanted by its emerald green brilliance. And there were many reasons for that. This show's Stephen Schwartz-penned tunes are nothing short of magical; the backstory of “Wizard of Oz” is fun and compelling; and the story's encouragement to show others respect, compassion, and affection is emotionally moving.

(OK, I'm admittedly a fan.)

So the biggest question I had about this cinematic version of the musical was whether or not the makers of the film had messed things up.

I wondered if they were going to pack it with junk that didn't need to be there. Would they reshape the story, change its purpose, or perhaps give families a cold shoulder? Have they, you know, done everything that modern Hollywood has been doing lately?

And let's be honest, those questions are valid, considering that this film, which represents the first half of the musical, is 2 hours and 40 minutes long, while the full running time of the musical is 2:45. (“Part 2” is scheduled for release in 2025.)

Happily, though, I can report that the filmmakers kept things pretty faithful despite the extra screen time. Yes, there are a few slight story shifts and extended scenes, but it all remains closely related to the original musical book.

Oh, and the newly cast Elphaba and Glinda – Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – do a really nice job of embodying their characters. They may not quite live up to the chemistry of Broadway originals Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth — who show up for a sweet little cameo — but they're very good.

The biggest drawback from a family visit perspective is an implied affair between Elphaba's mother and a stranger. A man is characterized in an effeminate way. And of course we have some fantasy spells and magic, and a bit of jumping off a tower top while soldiers brandish swords.

However, if your family members can work their way through those bits, they'll leave the theater humming some incredible show tunes and reflecting on the show's very real lessons and encouragements… and eagerly awaiting the release date for “Part 2.”

Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.

Gladiator II – In theaters

“Aren't you entertained?!”

That's how Maximus roared in the original “Gladiator” – Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning campaign through ancient Rome. Maximus summoned the blood-hungry fans of the Colosseum, so eager for spectacle, so happy to see viscera spill and limbs fly.

Even then, Scott was certainly aware of the paradox. Even when Maximus tried to shame the Romans by turning away from all that blood, Scott encouraged moviegoers to see it. Yes, the film was beautifully and at times brilliantly shot. 'Gladiator' was a grade A action movie. But make no mistake, its appeal was and is not that far removed from those spectacles at the Colosseum. No one died in 'Gladiator's' that makes me aware of it. But all that fake blood attracted real fans – and many watched again and again.

And now we return to the Colosseum with 'Gladiator II', where Scott – like the emperors of old – promises more spectacle. More action. And of course more blood. Even as Hanno and Marcus mourn and sigh over the death and bloodshed they unleash, those who flock to see this film come to see that blood spewed and splattered, to see those bodies fall. Sometimes that's the main reason they go. Without that gruesome spectacle, “Gladiator II” would just be a historically inaccurate sword-and-sandals drama. And who's going to pay $15 for that?

Those not coming for the blood might stick with Denzel Washington, who plays the ever-so-oily Macrinus here. While the rest of the characters regard Rome as an empire that has fallen or as a promise that never was, Macrinus stares at it with clear cynicism. He points to the Colosseum and says that it is in fact the most beautiful temple Rome has ever built. Why? Because the gigantic civil structure represents what Rome truly worships: power. Let's not fool ourselvesMacrinus seems to say during the film's twists and turns. Let us see Rome – let us see ourselves – for what and who we really are.

“Gladiator II” has its merits. Washington is compelling and the other performances are strong. The action can indeed be spectacular. And for a history buff like me, it's a bit breathtaking to see Rome come to life like this, even on what amounts to some kind of strange alternate timeline.

But I have a feeling that if Macrinus were given the chance to watch the film, he would see through the lavish sets, the CGI spectacle, and the Oscar hopes. He would see that the real appeal of “Gladiator II” is not in the art, but in something more fundamental. Even more brutal. Even bloodier.

Aren't we entertained?

Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.

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Connected is a Focus on the family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and influence the culture they live in. Through our reviews, articles, and discussions, we hope to stimulate intellectual thinking, spiritual growth, and a desire to follow the commandment of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through empty and deceitful philosophy, depending on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ.”

Reviews written by Paul Asay, Bob HoesAnd Kennedy Ondank.