Rating: Summary: Why did everyone hate this film? Review: I thought the story was pretty good and Arnold's acting was pretty good, Gabriel Byrne did a pretty good job. The only acting that I didn't like was Robin Tunney, she was kinda annoying. Other than that I thought it was a good comeback for Arnold cause he actually played a vulnerable character instead of the regular action hero he usually plays. So I actually enjoyed this movie, it's not one of his greatest movies like Terminator 2: Judgement Day but I thought it was pretty entertaining, check it out and if you want to talk movies with me my e-mail is ...
Rating: Summary: pretty good Review: i actually enjoyed watching this movie, arnold said that he needed a role where his character was more complicated and this movie is like that becuase the story is not real simple when he goes up against satan and he is a drunken cop coping with his wife and kids death and then having himself caught up in this mystery of satan being released from his prison and has to save the girl that was chosen by satan, not a big exposive acton movie like one of a typical arnold flick but its a very good suspense thriller worth the watch.
Rating: Summary: BEAT THE DEVIL Review: Though a huge fan of Schwarzenegger's movies, I put off seeing this one for a long time due to all the negative feedback it gets from both critics and the viewing public, including many of my fellow Amazon reviewers. Fortunately, I recently gave it a try anyway--and am I glad I did.Admittedly, the plot is not particularly original and draws heavily from both the Bible's Book of Revelation and the milennial hysteria surrounding the advent of the year 2000. Loosed from hell at the end of the thousand years, Satan (Gabriel Byrne)runs amok in New York in search of a young woman literally born to be his bride, the beautiful but naive Christine York (Robin Tunney). After a bizarre assassination attempt by a rogue Catholic priest, troubled security man Jericho Cane slowly unlocks the mystery of the Devil's plan to claim York, impregnate her with the Antichrist, and bring about the mythical "End of Days." Breakneck action ensues, as Jericho pulls out all the stops to keep Satan from getting his hands on York, leading up to a moving, powerful climax. As an action flick, "End of Days" definitely delivers. The stunts and FX are fun and exciting, and there's never a dull moment as Cane and York breathlessly try out outrun and outfight their diabolic pursuer. The atmosphere and set design is predominately dark and claustrophobic, drawing the viewer into the private duel between Good and Evil that goes unnoticed by the New Year celebrators all around the combatants. The soundtrack is appropriately eerie and somber and definitely sets an evocative mood. The acting, despite what many reviewers state, is quite good. Byrne is a brutal but darkly charismatic Devil, and Tunny is exceptionally attractive and charming as the former's destined mate. Schwarzenegger himself plays a rather more human and vulnerable character than his normal action role. Jericho is as tough and resourceful as any other Schwarzenegger hero, but is far more fragile mentally and emotionally and on the edge of a total psychological implosion. Schwarzenegger captures Jericho's soul perfectly, and makes the haunted, disturbed Jericho's trek from despair and hopelessness to newfound faith more than believable. I fear many who pan Schwarzenegger's performance in this flick are merely blinded by their own stereotypical view of what an "Arnold" film should be and so can't bring themselves to appreciate this acting job for what it is. Two scenes, an early one where Jericho is on the brink of suicide and the aforementioned final showdown, are particularly strong. But I won't deny "End of Days" has some real weaknesses. Most of these stem from the rather unfortunate script, which is not only rather derivative but often terribly illogical. Also, this is another movie where the Catholic Church is portrayed as the only Christian Church in the know, but the scenes inside the Vatican are probably the least convincing and authoritative in the whole film. If the Pope and his advisors know what's coming, why don't they do more about it? The film does have a tendency to oversimplify and gloss over important details that might get in the way of the story. Still, this is a much better film than I had been led to believe, a movie that works as both runaway action flick and a study of human faith in the face of awesome adversity. Perhaps Schwarenegger's best performance to date, "End of Days" is definitely a film I recommend either to those who have yet to take a look at it, or even to those who have seen it before--if you hated it the first time, it's worth a second look. Maybe this time you'll appreciate it for the stellar depiction of Good Vs. Evil that it is.
Rating: Summary: Could it be the worst Arnold movie ever? Review: For the love of God, for once can someone make a movie about Heaven and Hell that true to the judeo-christian beliefs they come from? It is not the point of this review to argue whether or not God and Satan exist, but the fact is this movie asks that you believe they do for the purposes of this story. Only, the fictitious existence of God and Satan in this story is completely imaginary. Just like every secular story about Heaven and Hell, it's completely off base from the beliefs they come from. This movie is about the End of Days fortold in the book of Revelations, but unlike what at least one other reviewer would have you believe, the events in this movie are nothing like what's told in that book. If you're gonna tell a story based on the Bible, at least read it so you get it right. This movie gets it so wrong, it's laughable. But it's not the Biblical inaccuracies that make this movie so bad, the story is just proposterous. Seriously, this movie is nothing more than Arnold vs. Satan. That's what it should have been called. This movie actually pits Arnold vs. Satan one on one and asks that you suspend your belief enough to see the plausability. Give me a break! People gave this movie five stars?!?!? The closest Arnold's ever come to a five star movie would be in one of James Cameron's films. This film's not even close. Honestly, this film is one of the lamest ways people cashed in on the whole Y2K panic, and even in that setting it was an awful film. Now? I can't even put into words...
Rating: Summary: First film Mr. Schwarzenegger did after his heart surgery. Review: Another good Arnold Schwarzenegger film. This time he plays a man who must fight the devil and win before the clock strikes midnite and it becomes the Year 2000. Not a blockbuster, but it will hold your attention. This was the first film Arnold Schwarzengger did after a two-year absence after having heart surgery. In the Bonus Materials section of this DVD, is "Spotlight On Location", a behind-the-scenes look of the film and why they cast who they did. A Feature Commentary with Director Peter Hyams is available. If you like to know the secrets of special effects, for example, was it a real train and how did it do that, all the secrets are revealed here of many special effects throughout the film. For those who have a bibical understanding, the entire "Book Of Revelation" from the Holy Bible is condensed and simplified here in its symbolic form.
Rating: Summary: Very good!! ***SPOILERS**** Review: I really dont understand why people are so negative to this movie. Both Arnold and Gabriel does a excellent job portraiting hero and Villain, or Man VS Satan if you do prefer so. The filming is dark, serious, and there is no sanctuary to hide. The movie is about Satan looking for a specific girl which unlocks the gate to hell, so that he can take over Earth. Of Course, Arnie, a tired-of-life-special-unit with the name "Jericho" ends up protecting the girl from Satan, which has taken the body of an ordinary Wall Street Man who can roam the streets freely and literally, make hell. This movie can be looked at from different angles. You can look at it in the easy way, "Girl in Danger, Man protects Girl with everything he got and fights Satan" or you can look at it the deep way, plunging into our own ghosts, and the purity of humanity and our belief. Is really god good? The best thing about the movie, is that Satan actually makes the best points here. Gabriel Byrne is superb. He has a way of acting, a way of staring behind your eyes and grabbing you that no other actors can. I this movie, he perfect as the personification of Evil. The best scene, with Jericho and Satan exchanging wits, is stunningly cool. In some moments you actually feel tempted to give in to Satan, much because Byrne`s EXCELLENT acting. I wont give to much away, but one other scene is incredible. The scene when you see that even God is helpless and cannot protect humans against Satan, when Satan just walks into the church with a grin on his face and...raises hell. Oh the Music! John Debney made a terrific score for End of Days, eerie, bombastic, directly freaky and dark. Its as much evil as Satan himself. Absolutely stunning movie. If you like this, I`d also suggest Stigmata, lot more horror, less action, but an equally superb Gabriel Byrne. Oh, I forgot too. Arnold is very good in this movie. ... This is the right Arnold that we all have come to like, he takes his role serious, and he plays it solid. Yes there are maybe some plotholes here and there..the dialogue can be a bit thin some places, and scenes are often cut too soon into other scenes, but that does not prevent this movie from being so strong. Oh, if you listen very careful you can hear Guns N`Roses - Oh My god in the background near the end of the movie. Now tell me that isnt cool.
Rating: Summary: The Devil You Say Review: Gabriel Bryne as the devil is exceptionally well played. You get the feeling he is having the time of his life camping things up. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't quite as lucky. Again we find Arnold cast as the hero although this time with a dark side that is a nice idea but not followed through well enough. The other area that is pleasant is watching Arnold being the one smacked around for much of the film. The explosions and pyrotechnics are all well done but what could have been a great film is simply a decent one. The plot has lots of potential. Unfortunately the plot and all characters get 'b' movie treatment in an 'a' movie explosion-fest. For mindless entertainment End of Days is good, but you get the impression more was intended and the film simply doesn't deliver. Arnold's films are a guilty pleasure for me. I like his work ethic applied to acting. He has improved and expanded beyond simple roles like this. Dealing with the end of the world would have been much more interesting with more substance and less explosions. Good films by Schwarzenegger: Terminator I & II The Running Man - vastly underrated Total Recall the lighter side: Kindergarden Cop Twins True Lies So it's not that Arnold isn't capable, it's that in part, we as audience don't support his lighter films like we do the action hero stuff. Considering he's getting up there in age it might not be such a bad idea to start casting him as an older character, but I digress. If you want lots of bangs and booms with a good dose of violence look no further. If you are looking for lots of substance take a pass. Still this is entertaining if you want to slip into couch potato mode.
Rating: Summary: Most likable Arnold movie since True Lies Review: "End of Days" had its main character more realistic than other Arnold films, he was not invincble in this role, had suicidal tendency due to the painful lost of family and suffered from the guilt thereafter. Arnold portrayed this characther with emotions that I could identify with, very real, and his acting was quite subtle at some scenes, I was not a fan until I saw this one, then consequently I bought it on DVD. The main problem about this film is its trailer, I don't konw if the trailer on DVD was actually the theatrical trailer while it released, but it's very unappealing compared to the substance of this film to say the least. On the contrary, the two MV on DVD are much better editted than the trailer, I am glad Terminator 3 will be released by Warner Bros instead of Universal Studio, at least WB knows better when it comes to promotion. It's a pitty that "End of Days"was much superior than it seemed from the trailer. Other complaint is that the DVD reveals too much secret of the special effects making, it's terrific that those stunts were made very belivable, and the CGI was great, but is it necessary to exhibit how they were made? It only reduces wonderment next time you see it, personally I would rather not know these technical things, and believe it's all actually happened (e.g. church explosion and train derailment). Other than those two mentioned above, this film is very good, its atmosphere is thrilling, Usually I hate to watch action movie, especailly violent ones. But Arnold 's acting in this film impressed me a lot and keep me captivated throughtout the viewing, It's probably that I like to watch a realistic character more than super human ones although the latter are cooler. End of Days is my second favorite Schwarzenegger movie, btw he looked very good in this film, not changed a bit since I last saw him in Eraser except that his performance in End of Days is better than Eraser, he didn't look older after several years, he's more than double my age, but that's not the point, the point is he looks really great and charismatic, it's quite amazing.
Rating: Summary: Not really worth the effort Review: The gist of this movie is the battle between good and evil, and the weapon for that battle is faith. Does that sound like a Schwarzenegger film to you? Explosions and fight scenes abound in this millennial battle for the fate of the world as we know it. The year is 1999, and Jericho, played by Schwarzenegger, is a former New York policeman who is living on the edge. To illustrate this, our first scene is with him, contemplating suicide. If you have ever seen Mel Gibson's performance in "Lethal Weapon," then you have seen this part. His personal struggle continues as a question of his faith because of the death of his family. Now that the millennium is coming to a close, the Prince of Darkness has returned to Earth to claim a bride. If he mates with this bride before the new millenium, then the world will end. Jericho gets caught up in the battle to stop him, but learns that his weapons only take him so far. This is not a great movie. Gabriel Byrne plays the Prince of Darkness very well, but the viewer may find him or herself questioning his powers. He can change reality, but he can't seem to stop Jericho. He can walk through fire unscathed, but he can't keep from getting shot. The movie didn't seem well thought out. I would recommend giving this film a miss.
Rating: Summary: Potential Cult Classic Review: I think one of the biggest reasons this film is so criticized is because of its budget. If this were a low-budget film, it would have been hailed by B-movie fans as a new schlock classic, but it is tough to watch this film without noticing its large budget and I agree that there is no way a movie with so many plot holes, logical inconsistencies, bad acting, etc., should have ever cost so much. But if you try to pretend it is a low budget piece of cheese, the outrage is replaced by a tremendous sense of fun. Besides the plot holes, this film has all the elements of a true classic schlock movie. There is the truly-talented-slumming-actor (Gabriel Byrne as Satan, playing a role you know he had fun with). There is the has-been-former-box-office-draw, the aging-action-movie-star and the muscle-bound-ham (all three roles superbly filled by Schwarzenegger, our generation's cross between Steve Reeves, Tor Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor). All the minor characters are portrayed with such awful acting you can't help but break into laughter. The movie deliberately taps into the latest zeitgeist (the upcoming millennium). And there is loads of unintentional humour, non-stop action, violence, special effects, and the occasional truly inspired scene. The scenes of Byrne going around wreaking havoc are especially interesting and could eventually help make this film an exploitation classic (it already would be if it had come out in the 1970s). (I won't spoil your entertainment with the details, but one of those scenes is like the famous opening to the alleyway scene from the first Toxic Avenger movie). For a truly good film about the millenium and the antichrist, see the excellent Italian film "The Day of the Beast". But for a fun film worth a few laughs, this movie is far superior to "The Omen".
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