‘The Passion’ Review Roundups: Fox’s Latest Live Musical Production Isn’t A Hit With Critics

The Passion, Fox’s live musical about the Christian story of Jesus Christ’s final days, premiered Sunday night to relatively poor reviews from critics.

Jencarlos Canela, the telenovela and Latin pop music singer, starred as Jesus in the modern retelling of The Passion. He was joined in the production by American Idol alum Chris Daughtry (Judas), Seal (Pontius Pilate) and Trisha Yearwood (Mary). Tyler Perry served as the narrator filling in the gaps between the musical numbers, which included covers of Jewel‘s “Hands,” Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open” and Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life.”

The Passion Reviews

Though well-intentioned, The Passion failed to win over critics, many of whom compared the production to a halftime show. The singers more than capably sang the pop/rock ballads – save perhaps Yearwood who struggled to match the power of some of her numbers – but the overall story was too commercialized, according to reviewers.

“They were all familiar songs and good covers for the most part, while New Orleans’ weather cooperated too. The complex production was largely seamless, with a few glitches.
But something was missing in Sunday’s big Passionpalooza — based on a popular Dutch TV event of the last few years — beside most of the Stations of the Cross. This all felt too commercial, too slick, too “American Idol”-ized. The Passion is Christianity’s foundational story. This usually — also awkwardly and regrettably — felt like just another TV one.” – Verne Gay, Newsday

“But while Perry gave the assignment his all, what emerged was at times oddly sterile, such as the images of people in the live audience staring up at screens, watching Canela and others belt out pop tunes. Charitably, one could call this a noble experiment. The performances were fine, if seldom especially stirring. With a few exceptions, there was a logic to most of the songs, although it will take a more informed biblical scholar than this one to find the connection between Jesus and the theme from “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.” – Brian Lowry, Variety

“On the seventh day, Fox didn’t rest. It took the greatest story ever told and turned it into a halftime show. The network’s semi-live, semireligious musical pageant “The Passion” on Sunday night recalled a lot of modern television spectacles meant to circumvent the DVR — Super Bowl halftimes, “American Idol,” New Year’s Eve broadcasts. And every time poor Trisha Yearwood had to stand up in the New Orleans twilight and sing a song she wasn’t really suited for, it recalled nothing so much as a shopping mall grand opening.” – Mike Hale, The New York Times

“Equal parts sermon and Super Bowl halftime show, Fox’s The Passion live event from New Orleans tonight was an Easter basket overstuffed with sincerity, good intentions and hammy musical performances, all melting into a big batch of goo faster than a chocolate bunny in the sun.” – Greg Evans, Deadline

The Passion will be available to stream on Netflix starting March 22.