At Jesus' Side (2008)

At Jesus' Side Poster

AT JESUS’ SIDE is an animated family feature about the last week of Jesus’ life through the Resurrection, as seen through the eyes of a little pack of outcast animals. Our hero, Jericho, is a vagabond street dog who befriends Jesus and follows him throughout the week. Jericho hates humans, so when Jesus is kind to him, it’s the biggest surprise of his life. We see him turn from fear and anger to love and grace when he learns how to forgive a man who hurt him in the past. After Jesus’ arrest at Gethsemane, Jericho rallies an epic charge of animal friends to try to save Jesus from his fate. Jericho’s grief at the Crucifixion becomes joyous celebration at witnessing the Resurrection, the greatest miracle of the Christian faith. No one was there to see it. So of course, the story has never been told.

Movie Overview
"At Jesus' Side" is an animated film from 2008 that informs the Bible story of Jesus' recently in the world from the unique point of view of a group of animals. Directed by William R. Kowalchuk Jr., this interesting children's film combines spirituality with adventure to produce an enlightening and amusing story.

Plot Synopsis
The story focuses on five castaway animals: Jericho the canine, Miguel the donkey, Sonjay the horse, Drago the rooster, and Vargas the pig. After unwittingly triggering turmoil due to their pal, Jericho the dog, stealing food from the temple, they are banned from the city of Jerusalem by the High Priest Caiaphas. However, Jericho takes duty for his wrongdoing and is allowed back into the city.

Jericho ends up being pals with Jesus, who fascinates him with his kindness and altruism. As Jesus' ministry unfolds, Jericho and his buddies experience scriptural stories, consisting of the Last Supper, Jesus' betrayal, his crucifixion, and resurrection, experiencing the themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and genuine love.

Characters
Each of the animal characters has its own unique characteristic and character development. Jericho, a rogue however good-hearted dog, is the main animal character who follows Jesus closely and learns crucial lessons. Other animals accompany him on his journey revealing different qualities. For instance, Drago, the rooster, is initially doubtful of Jesus and his mentors, but by the end of the movie, he has a change of heart. The donkey, Miguel, takes a substantial function when he is picked by Jesus to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Themes and Messages
There are several styles provided throughout the movie, including relationship, forgiveness, loyalty, and love. The movie highlights the style of forgiveness when Jesus stops the stoning of an adulterous lady. It focuses on relationship when it highlights the strong bond among the animal buddies, particularly when they come together to conserve a lamb from being sacrificed during Passover. The theme of unconditional love is highlighted when Jesus willingly goes to the cross to die for humanity's sins.

Through Jesus' interactions with Jericho, viewers can understand Jesus' thoughtful mentor design and his focus on repentance, compassion, and forgiveness. Another important message in this film is the importance of defending what you think in, no matter the cost. This is shown when Jericho and his good friends risk their lives for their belief in Jesus.

Vital Analysis
"At Jesus' Side" paints the story of Jesus' enthusiasm and crucifixion in kid-friendly colors without deviating much from scriptural accounts. This animated experience brings an unique twist into the standard story, and while it's mainly tailored for children, it carries messages that resonate with audiences of any ages. The movie plainly outlines biblical stories, making it a possibly useful instructional tool for a young audience to understand important parts of Christianity.

The voice performing is commendable, and the animation is well-done considering the production year. It's a touching and appealing performance of the last week of Jesus' life, showcasing empathy, bravery, and sacrifice while presenting core Christian values and teachings in a family-friendly way.

Conclusion
"At Jesus' Side" uses viewers an unique animal perspective of Jesus' final days and resurrection in Jerusalem. It uses enjoyable animal characters and engaging storytelling to discreetly inform its young audience about the Christian faith, making it both an amusing and enlightening seeing experience.

Top Cast

  • Lucas Grabeel (small)
    Lucas Grabeel
    Jericho (Voice)
  • Roma Downey (small)
    Roma Downey
    Petra (Voice)
  • Kathleen Barr (small)
    Kathleen Barr
    Maya / Dim Sum / Mother Mary (voice)
  • Lee Tockar (small)
    Lee Tockar
    Miguel (voice)
  • Blu Mankuma (small)
    Blu Mankuma
    Ulysses (Voice)
  • Kirby Morrow (small)
    Kirby Morrow
    Jesus / Vendor #2 (voice)
  • David Kaye (small)
    David Kaye
    Sykosus / 1st Pharisee / Passover Visitor (voice)
  • Mark Gibbon (small)
    Mark Gibbon
    Casius (voice)
  • Garry Chalk (small)
    Garry Chalk
    Seymour / 2nd Pharisee / 1st Soldier (voice)
  • Richard Newman (small)
    Richard Newman
    Caiaphus / Merchant (voice)
  • Allie Wigley
    Ariana (voice)