The Resurrection of Gavin Stone: Movie Review

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, the PG-rated comedy from the writer of Patricia Heaton's hit Christian movie Mom's Night Out, will find its audience among the faithful. It has a Hallmark charm to it. And it's clean comedy, family-friendly to its core.

TV's Brett Dalton is Gavin Stone, an always-in-trouble actor who's sentenced to community service at a local church. Under false pretenses, he auditions and is cast in the role of Jesus for the church's Easter play. Not a believer, he's now got to figure out how to pull it off.

Dalton brings his own brand of hilarity to the part. In fact, he improvised one of the best bits in the scene where he's auditioning for the pageant. The Agents of SHIELD is joined on screen by another familiar face, Neil Flynn (The Middle, Scrubs), who plays Gavin's father.

To its credit, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone offers audiences a pretty funny, family-appropriate option at the movie theater this weekend, especially as it opens against Vin Diesel's xXx: Return of Xander Cage and the James McAvoy/M. Night Shyamalan psycho-thriller Split.

What falls flat for the film is that it's awfully predictable and, at times, feels superficial. Then again, it knows its audience and gives them what they want -- a heartfelt faith story about a guy getting his life back on the righteous path.

Rated PG for thematic elements including a crucifixion image, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is appropriate for most ages.

Will The Resurrection of Gavin Stone be the Christian film industry's saving grace? No. Is it one of the better Christian comedies of the last few years? Yes.

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone releases nationwide on January 20, 2017.