Rating: Summary: It made a bad book into a fairly watchable film Review: The Left Behind books are painfully bad - but this film actually corrects most of the book's worst mistakes to turn the storyline into a somewhat watchable film. Peter and Paul Lalonde have heavily edited Jerry Jenkin's ponderous, preachy dialogue so that most of the lines in the film are believable. The chaos that ensues on earth after the Rapture is gratifying to watch, and the storyline is so different than anything you'd see in a mainstream Hollywood movie that it's worth watching just for variety. The character of Hattie Durham - who was an offensively stupid and shallow bimbo in the book - is depicted in the film with more dignity. Unfortunately, people still have a habit of becoming "instant saints" the moment they become Christians. I find this strange, since the Lalondes' other films avoid this flaw, but it is true to the book (unfortunately). And, of course, the whole thing is based on an interpretation of the Bible which is very suspect.
Rating: Summary: Books Good - Movie Bad Review: I have read all eight published (non-kids) volumes of the Left Behind series and I absolutely love them (even though I do not necessarily agree with the biblical interpretations underlying them). BUT, the movie is awful. The acting is terrible, the story line is somewhat modified from the book (the drunken airplane passenger scene is not at all like the book) and I agree with others that the story plods along. The book is an excellent read. In fact, I think all eight books so far are page-turners. I was anxiously awaiting the movie and was very sorely disappointed in the whole thing. I know it was a low-budget movie, but it really looks it.
Rating: Summary: SOOOOOO Disappointed - Horrible Movie Review: The book was not bad - but the movie was terrible. Actually beyond the worst I think I have seen in a long time.
Rating: Summary: OH SO DISAPOINTING Review: IF YOU READ THE BOOKS DON'T SEE THE MOVIE!!!! IT LEAVES YOU VIRTUALLY HANGING. THE ACTORS ARE MEDIOCRE THE PLOT IS SO CHOPPED UP YOU WHO READ THE BOOK WON'T RECOGNIZE IT. THEY TREID TO SQUEEZE THE WHOLE FIRST BOOK IN THE SHORT TIME OF THE FILM.
Rating: Summary: No Contest Review: Here is a case in which the only common denominator between the movie and the book is the title. I was VERY disappointed in the film. The book was exciting, interesting, informative and could hold one's interest even if you read it in one sitting. The film lacked realism and, at times, was even boring. I have purchased the book as a gift for at least a dozen friends but would not even consider giving anyone this video.
Rating: Summary: Proof the God Has a Sense of Humor Review: I saw "Left Behind" at the behest of one of my friends. Leaving alone for the moment that I detest Kirk Cameron and have hated Clarence Gilyard since his days in "Walker, Texas Ranger", I cannot in good faith recommend this motion picture to anyone. The production values are awful, the acting is one-dimensional and wooden, and the dialogue comes off as being rather cloying. And did I mention the "special effects?" There's nothing special about them at all. Even "Battlefield Earth" looks like Oscar material next to this befuddled mess of a movie. There are a number of rave reviews for "Left Behind" on this site. Curiously, they seem to coincide with the impending "re-release" of the film in theatres (originally this picture was released direct to video). One must seriously consider the credibility of those reviews, as many so-called "Christian" groups made known their intent to use any means necessary to get people to see the picture in theatrical release. One would be well-advised to ignore the hype. If you still want to view this movie, I recommend renting a VHS copy as a less expensive alternative to the cost of a movie ticket. "Left Behind" is not only the title of the movie, it describes what those thinking of buying it should do...leave it behind! It is little more than right wing religious propaganda with no artistic merit. In a few short years it will garner the dubious distinction of being second only to "Plan Nine from Outer Space" as one of the most laughably bad motion pictures ever made.
Rating: Summary: Garbage !!!!!!! Review: If you see any review of this movie with more than one star the people either did not watch this film or were paid big money to lie! The only reason I gave this movie one star is because there was no choice for any less! The acting (If you can call it that) STANK, the scenes could not have cost more than $12.00 to set up and the movie simply has a story that goes nowhere.The only way you will last till the end of this movie is if you get fooled as I did in thinking that it might start to go somewhere! Trust me it never does! The BEST thing you could do is listen to the title and LEAVE IT BEHIND ! Don't think I'm a year 2000 techno freak that only likes hi tech movies. In reality I love old B-type movies that where made on a shoestring budget like War of the Worlds, This Island Earth, When Worlds Collide and so on. But this movie is just garbage!
Rating: Summary: Food for thought Review: We were walking through a bookstore commenting on how great it would be to see Left Behind made into a movie when we saw the video for sale. We were anxious to see the quality of acting and of production, given the unfortunate fact that many Christian endevours can not hold a candle to secular offerings- we are pleasantly surprised. Although it is no Independance Day in so far as the special effects and all that, Left Behind is well done and exciting to those of us who wonder what the rapture will be like. This is fiction, not claiming to be biblical in story content, but based on the author's vision of one way "it could all go down". I find it difficult to believe anyone could watch this with an open mind and walk away, giving it no further thought. More likely, the wheels are turning and viewers are at leas wondering, "What if...", making the film's purpose fullfilled! We look forward to more food for thought from this cast of faithful believers!
Rating: Summary: Typical example of a Christian media bandwagon flop Review: I cringe even reviewing this movie, but it must be done, for the massive financial juggernaut of the book on which this is based and the incredible gullibility of Christians compel me to do what I can to declare that this movie is not only bad, it is an embarassment to my faith. I am what some may call a "conservative, evangelical Christian", but I like to think that I cannot be pigeon holed into a view of Scripture that is "obvious". Why do I say this? Well, my first problem with the movie is the theology: it is simply unbiblical and dangerous. I challenge anyone to give a good, clear description of how the rapture and all that goes along with it are what the Bible says. Where does it say that all the Christians will be "snatched" away to leave those who are "Left Behind" to suffer the wrath of God. And to what purpose? Have they already not been punished for being Left Behind? Jesus asks, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" - why ask this if he knows that no one who is Christian is there? Rapture theology is dangerous by being a new fear tactic of spreading the gospel and, well...bad theology! On to other things...the acting, as many have said, is atrocious, though true to writing style of the book. Cameron is probably the best, though that should be expected, given that he has the most experience. The movie plods along and is virtually unbearable to watch - and I am glad that I only saw it in video format. If I paid a big-screen price, I would want my money back! Now many Christians who read this will think badly of me for being so negative; but if the movie is so good, why are Cloud Ten Productions trying to get churches to put up money to get this movie on the screen? If it is so good, why can't it stand on its own? Once again, this is an example of how Christians are embarrassing in how they accept anything just because a "Christian" label is put on it and supports their own theology. I am not asking people to be cynical; I am asking them to be critical and to think.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: This movie was absolutly amazing. I loved it. Anyone that loves a thrilling movie or the books would want to watch this show. The Left Behind series is one of the most widley know books in the United States of America. I would suggest the anyone who has read the series to watch the video. I was kind of surprised at the amount of difference between the video and the books. There was hardly any difference except for the way that the movie starts. Other than that, everything is basicly the same. The characters are realistic and anyone in the world can relate to what they are doing. The religious aspects of this video is stagering. There are very few people who actually belive that this would ever happen in this lifetime or ever. The style of the books is reflected in the movie. The exciting, anticipating style is throughout the video. The alliteration to the Bible is throughout the video. Although the characters in the video don't come out and say it, the entire video is based on the book of Revelation in the Bible. The video has started Revelation and the continuing videos should show the revelation as it is predicted in the Bible.
|