Left Behind (1/6/2015)

Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements, violence/peril and brief drug content.

Starring Nicolas Cage, Cassi Thomson, Nicky Whelan, Jordin Sparks, Chad Michael Murray and Lea Thompson

Directed by Vic Armstrong (Army of One)

Once again…the book was better than the movie…way better.

The most important event in the history of mankind is happening right now. In the blink of an eye, the biblical Rapture strikes the world. Millions of people disappear without a trace. All that remains are their clothes and belongings, and in an instant, terror and chaos spread around the world. The vanishings cause unmanned vehicles to crash and burn. Planes fall from the sky. Emergency forces everywhere are devastated. Gridlock, riots and looting overrun the cities. There is no one to help or provide answers. In a moment, the entire planet is plunged into darkness.

In 1995 Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins wrote a novel about the rapture titled “Left Behind.” What followed were 14 more books (all of which have been on the New York Times best-seller list), over 65 million copies sold, three movies, a board game, a video game and countless other pieces of merchandise.

Left Behind was, and still is, a massive cultural phenomenon. But no one has been able to translate the success of the books into a quality film…including this latest attempt. I just don’t understand why with such great source material we cannot produce a film that is better than a direct-to-DVD low budget movie.

I read the book in1995 and every book that followed, I suffered through all the Kirk Cameron films and after this debacle, I honestly don’t think I have it in me to watch one more attempt.

I want to be very clear. I was really excited when I heard they were rebooting Left Behind. I wasn’t as excited when I heard Nicholas Cage would be starring in the film. But I gave it a shot and went to the theater hoping for the best. I also want to be clear that I will not give a film a favorable review just because it is a “Christian movie.” Just read my review for God’s Not Dead.

So let’s jump in. Let me begin by saying, this film is one ridiculous scene after another. Like when Buck is confronted by an angry Christian “wacko” (that’s actually how the film describes her) and Chloe comes to his rescue. Just in case you are unaware, Buck Williams is a world famous investigative journalist and Chloe is a college student…so it makes no sense that he would need her help.

Then there are the passengers on the plane who are “left behind.” We have an adulterer, a Muslim, a drug addict and a gambler…and that’s not the beginning of some inappropriate joke. It is however the typical good people are the Christians and the bad people are not character development in most Christian films. The one exception is the older couple – the man is raptured but the wife is left. I was actually intrigued by this subplot, but there was no explanation given for either of those decisions made by the filmmakers.

Finally in the films climactic plane-landing scene, Chloe causes a small explosion with some gasoline that Ray and Buck are able to see… from the plane!! They are a few miles away and a couple thousand feet in the air. But before you start to argue that that scenario is possible, let me remind you that according to the story there has been wide spread destruction caused by cars smashing into other cars and buildings and planes crashing into the ground, rioting, looting etc. Except looking out the cockpit windows, New York City appears to be calm and quiet. Then when they land and exit the plane, we see all of New York City is in fact in flames… I mean all of it.

And in what I like to call the biggest “eye roll” moment of the film, the plane chase lands and comes within inches of hitting an oil tanker. You can almost hear the audience breathe a sigh of relief in that close call. NOTE: That was sarcasm and I probably should have given you a SPOILER ALERT.

But the most ridiculous part of the film has to be Nicholas Cage. He goes from looking like making this film was his biggest mistake of his life to overacting every scene like a bad Saturday Night Live sketch. I’m not saying he ruined the film; director Vic Armstrong needs to share in some of that blame. But his acting and his ridiculous hair made this movie almost unwatchable.

I hate that this movie was so poorly made because I love the books. So go download the book on your Kindle, because this movie is a “Coaster.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There really isn’t anything offensive in the film; I just wish this film was one I would want to take my students to go see.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. How would you describe the relationship between Chloe and her mom?


2. Why is there so much tension between them?


3. How does Chloe feel about her mom’s religious views?


4. What are some practical ways for us to share the gospel without coming across as pushy or overbearing?


5. Who are some people that you can share the gospel with this week?