Rating: Summary: Laughably Awful! Review: I think "Left Behind: The Movie" stinks, but before I get into that, a little background. My wife and I were duped by the people who market this film. Looking at the tape case at our local video store, we were led to believe that "Left Behind" was some sort of political thriller. A vague description made mention of a journalist in the Middle East and "disappearances". Hmmm....I'm thinking a Costa-Gavras sort of film? Admittedly, I should have pricked up my ears when I noticed Kirk Cameron in a lead role and promptly shelved the tape right then and there. That was a fair enough warning. Brought the film home and quickly found that it was not what I expected. But even worse than that, it is a poorly constructed film on its own merits. Poor acting all around. Ridiculous set designs (wait till you see the cockpit of the 747...I think this scene was filmed in a dorm room?)....tacky, low grade digital effects and all around poor production values. That's just the technical aspect....I actually do not understand the point of this film. It's mawkish, preachy and incoherent. I haven't read the books - nor do intend to - but I'm assuming the author(s) cannot be happy with this production. An all around poor vehicle for has-been (never was?) Kirk Cameron and a film with questionable merits and morals. The UN is a bad idea? Peace in the Middle East is a bad idea? Only Christians can be "enlightened" and are chosen by divine intervention to save humanity? Give me a break. This is nothing more than fanatic propaganda. What's funny to me is that it is propaganda with no clear message or objective, and it is presented in such a tepid and amateurish manner. Awful! *NOTE - the post-movie "message" from Cameron - a shameless plea to get a grassroots movement going in support of the movie - is borderline hilarious. This direct-to-video release should have stayed on the shelf where it belongs.
Rating: Summary: a natural progression for Christian filming. Review: I had not read the book series since I am not into conspiracy theories and end-times predictions. I got too much of that stuff in the pentecostal church where I grew up where everything technological was either of the devil or would usher in the antichrist and we were so rapture and heavenly minded that we were not prepared to be earthly good, Great Commission fulfilling Christians. However, at the pleading from a fellow brother in Christ, I borrowed his copy of this movie and watched it. After viewing numerous commercials from other Apocalyptic, rapture movies from Cloud Ten pictures (remember, it was their leaders Peter and Paul Lalonde that went Y2K crazy a year and a half ago. Also another of their conspiracy theory, antichrist of the week predicting buddies Jack and Rexella Van Impe was briefly in the movie on the airplane. I noticed that they did not get left behind in the rapture scene.), I found it hard to watch this movie because every scene filmed inside of a building looked too blurry and too dark on my home theater (also the scene w/ Nicolae killing the two gentlemen appeared very choppy and re-patch-edited over and over again) while scenes filmed outside with natural sunlight looked ok. Also, many of the scenes did not blend in together in natural progression. I had to call up a friend who had read the book to tell me what was going on that the producers left out. Therefore, much of this movie relys on one reading the book in order to know the inside information and the behind the scenes happenings to understand this book. The special effects were not special, with the jets blowing up reminded me of a 1980's video game. I wondered how many airplanes flew over Israel at one time. We did not fly as many over Iraq in Desert Storm. This movie had the quality of a Sunday night made for TV murder movie. Kirk Cameron lacked the enthusiasm and did not show enough emotion to make his role convincing along with the stiffness of the airplane pilot. Chelsea Noble and Clarence Gilyard did decent but Nicolae looked too boyish and immature as the Antichrist. This movie does take a pre-trib approach that may offend some theologians and the guys at Cloud Ten had to briefly bring up a scene of interpreting some cryptic letters on a computer screen as a "Bible Code" that could only be interpreted by the pastor, another controversial and near gnostic concept. Also, there was way too much emphasis on the verse of "two men walking side by side, one raptured, one left behind" as everybody that was left behind was with someone who was raptured, plus all the children was raptured which now brings up issues of spiritual accountability. It's a lot better than The Omega Code (aka Mega Crap) in production quality and in theology, and is a natural progression towards better Christian filmmaking that needs to take place. However, I was suprised that Mr. LaHaye's and Mr. Jenkins's names do not appear in the movie credits nor on the packaging. I now question the stragety of releasing the movie to videotape before the theater. If you have seen it once on tape, why go re-see it again on the big screen.
Rating: Summary: Will you go with them? Review: Picture it!... Friends, loved ones, and all those around you vanish in an instant, leaving behind their clothes, shoes, and jewelry. Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and dental fillings are left in unkempt piles when their bodies disappear! The result is mass confusion as driverless vehicles careen out of control, pilotless planes crash to the ground, fires and explosions roar unhindered, and worldwide delirium breaks loose. You're immobilized with terror as you watch in total incredulity at a insane world thrust into an apocalyptic nightmare from which it will never awaken... You've been Left Behind. Left Behind-the Movie, based on the best selling series of the same title, is riveting, action packed, and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The actors fulfilled my vision for them to the utmost (having read all eight of the books so far published in the series --try your local bookstore). You feel like you are right there with them as their stories unfold. Kirk Cameron, (from "Growing Pains") Brad Johnson, Chelsea Noble, Clarence Gilyard, ("Matlock", "Walker Texas Ranger", and "Die Hard") and Gordon Currie all are very good actors, so you will not be disappointed. With the costliest budget and best special effects of its genre, Left Behind is certainly a must see film!
Rating: Summary: Left behind Review: This movie is a must for everyone to see and realize what is instore for us in the near future. This movie is for people of all ages, nationality etc.
Rating: Summary: Awesome Action-packed Christian Video Review: This is such a wonderfully done movie. The cast is perfect; the story is powerful and leaves you anxious for more. The message is simple and truthful. Right on--Cloud Nine Studios--Hollywood should sit up and take notice! I wish I loved close to you and could work as an actress on good christian films. Thanks for the good work!
Rating: Summary: Stick to the books and pray that real directors make it! Review: I'm sorry this film is awful! The movie is too dull! I've read the books. I'm reading "Apollyon". Steer clear of this movie and pray a real director makes this blockbuster into a movie worthy of the praise of people regardless of faith or nonfaith. My advice stick to the books!
Rating: Summary: action, history, and the end of the world Review: This was a pleasent surprise. After years of hoaky b rated christian movies that are off hand productions by half hearted amatuers, this movie provides the christian context in a quality action package. The actors, special effects and overall production is of quality you may expect in a high priced hollywood production. The movie has the added value of being a great point of discussion for the whole family.
Rating: Summary: Biblically unfounded... Review: Perhaps I am missing something. As a Christian, I have always been taught that evangelism is all about spreading the GOOD news; rather than scaring people into faith, Christians should embrace others into the faith. More to the point, however, as a film, "Left Behind" is sorely lacking in the most important department: art. Film should be art, not tripe. As soon as Christian filmmakers realize this, perhaps we shall find more deeply moving films. As to the biblical support for the ideals of the "rapture," I must mention (with a strong fear of casting pearls to swine) there is very little, if any. For instance, the only place in the New Testament where there is any sort of mention of an "antichrist" is in 1 John. In the original Greek, there is no disputing that the author is speaking of more than one antichrist living at his time. His purpose is to distinguish those who were orthodox (those in the light) from those who had become heretics (those in the darkness). Finally, I refuse to believe in a God who would take his Church away from those who are in such great need of it, as this "rapture" clearly portrays; am I the only one who was disturbed by the scenes of strife in the film after all the "righteous" had been taken up? I have seen that picture before--that is what life is like without God. I recommend films of better character which have a deeper message, such as "Elmer Gantry," "The Poseidon Adventure," and "E.T."
Rating: Summary: Two thumbs up!! Review: This is a wonderful movie that will keep believers and non-believers, alike, on the edge of their seats...And still wanting more! I thought all the parts we're wonderfully cast. Buck, Chloe, and Hattie couldn't have been any closer to what I thought. I can't wait to see the movie come out in theaters on February 2!
Rating: Summary: Everyone must see Left Behind Review: Everyone needs to see this movie and read the series! this movie will show in theatres on Feb. 2, 2001. Please go see it and support this movie, so that they can continue to make more movies of the Left Behind series. This is about the world's future, so after you watch this you need to study Revelations. I know it can be confusing, but it's important.
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