Parents' Guide to

The Passion Live

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Stirring modern-day musical retelling of Easter story.

Movie NR 2016 120 minutes
The Passion Live Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

Lowe's man
Lowe's man Adult
September 7, 2016
age 9+

a glorious retelling

This modern day version may be hard for young children to follow. Even so, it is amusing, as viewers contemplate what Jesus would've gone through had the crucifixion and resurrection happened today. Tyler Perry makes this version all the more fun. He is a terrific host and narrator.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Tyler Perry hosts and narrates THE PASSION LIVE, a modern retelling of the story of Jesus Christ's last hours, death, and resurrection. Set in New Orleans and featuring music from Creed, Whitney Houston, and Katy Perry, among others, the story bounces between Perry's summations delivered to a live audience and prerecorded shorts set throughout the city showing Jesus (Jencarlos Canela) and his disciples sharing a last meal, discussing his imminent fate, being betrayed by Judas (Chris Daughtry), and eventually being condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (Seal). Also juxtaposed are scenes of an oversized illuminated cross carried through the city to Perry's stage, as well as moments when Mary (Trisha Yearwood) contemplates her son's fate and Peter (Prince Royce) denies Jesus, before the story ends with Christ's triumphant resurrection.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

This stirring production is unlike any previous rendition of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which makes its appeal somewhat hit or miss. To tell the story in such a piecemeal way -- interspersed with live narration and stage entertainment, plus a roaming reporter conducting man-on-the-street interviews as the cross journeys more than a mile to the main stage -- is no small undertaking, and the production team deserves praise just for pulling it off. That said, it takes some time to wrap your mind around the idea of Jesus riding mass transit and hitting a food truck for Last Supper supplies (loaves and fishes, of course), and the frequent interruptions for interviews with people in the cross procession are somewhat jarring to the story's fluidity. Ultimately this type of spin on this revered story is a stretch some viewers might not think is worth the effort.

But for those who don't mind a little unorthodoxy to their Easter story, The Passion Live delivers heartfelt performances from a talented cast and a surprisingly effective use of secular music to explore the characters' emotions and the story's themes of love, friendship, and triumph. Who knew that Imagine Dragons' "Demons" could so effectively set the tone for Judas' betrayal or that Jewel's "Hands" could have been written for Mary's devotion to her son? Even if you've never thought of these songs as having faith-based undertones, you will reconsider their message after hearing their place in this story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about this presentation's effectiveness. Could you easily follow the parallels between the Easter story you know and the version the cast acted out? Did any parts not work for you? Why do you think the story omitted the crucifixion altogether? Did that help or hurt the overall effect?

  • Does this production seem geared toward believers alone, or does it aim to lure other viewers as well? To what degree can the story's themes relate to secular life as well as religious influences?

  • Discuss the use of music in this show. Did the modern songs work well in communicating emotion rooted in this religious story? Will having watched this change how you interpret these and other songs in the future? How does music move you? Inspire you?

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