I saw the trailer for this and thought "that looks awful", and I really dislike "The Chosen", it is garbage and not at all good from a theological standpoint and does not represent the Bible well at all. I would never show it to a believer or non-believer. The Shift. Obviously has spiritual themes, but mostly it avoids the mistakes of the chosen by creating an interesting alternate reality premise and creating a world where the Bible is basically absent, actually it's a genius premise. It's fairly well-executed, and it is an interesting twist on old biblical themes and your typical dystopian world film. I have seen a lot of a big budget spiritual thrillers, such as "Legion" or "Book of Eli", which are complete trash.
Yes, this movie present alternate realities, and multiple universes, but at it's heart, it is a love story. A story about an enduring love that drives the main character, and yes faith. I felt it was maybe too subtle in it's references to Christ, they're there, but there is no gospel, at the same time, I'm okay with that. I'd rather them not have mangle the gospel and not have it in there only hint at it. I recently watched a movie that was destroyed by overly heavy handed gospel messages and bad theology, called "Red Letters". That movie had such a good idea that was destroyed with a heavy handed message. This movie tries to give you a message rooted in the Bible in science fiction/fantasy alternate reality, and I am willing to accept what it gives because unlike "The Chosen" it's not claiming it's the authentic Jesus. In fact, it's kind of the opposite, there is no Bible in this world so the one person who knows scripture can only tell others what he knows from his memories, so it can't be verbatim, kind of a convenient plot device, but it works.
I found the acting to e quite good, and the story to be very touching. I thought the world building was very well done. I liked the theme as well, which is really about perseverance amidst adversity, and sacrificial living, I would say this is a very good message, and a very needed one amidst the sewage that is modern Hollywood.
It's got it's flaws, it is definitely a tad confusing, and maybe a bit too convoluted for it's own good, and slightly on the long side, it mostly gels together by the end. The music was very well used, including a very apt use of the Jars of Clay song "Oh My God", I ever thought I'd hear that in a movie(although I have no respect for that band, they jumped the shark years ago on and left orthodox Christianity), and it works very very well. I think I can easily recommend this as a solid 7 to people who are just tired of the amoral trash coming out today.
Yes, this movie present alternate realities, and multiple universes, but at it's heart, it is a love story. A story about an enduring love that drives the main character, and yes faith. I felt it was maybe too subtle in it's references to Christ, they're there, but there is no gospel, at the same time, I'm okay with that. I'd rather them not have mangle the gospel and not have it in there only hint at it. I recently watched a movie that was destroyed by overly heavy handed gospel messages and bad theology, called "Red Letters". That movie had such a good idea that was destroyed with a heavy handed message. This movie tries to give you a message rooted in the Bible in science fiction/fantasy alternate reality, and I am willing to accept what it gives because unlike "The Chosen" it's not claiming it's the authentic Jesus. In fact, it's kind of the opposite, there is no Bible in this world so the one person who knows scripture can only tell others what he knows from his memories, so it can't be verbatim, kind of a convenient plot device, but it works.
I found the acting to e quite good, and the story to be very touching. I thought the world building was very well done. I liked the theme as well, which is really about perseverance amidst adversity, and sacrificial living, I would say this is a very good message, and a very needed one amidst the sewage that is modern Hollywood.
It's got it's flaws, it is definitely a tad confusing, and maybe a bit too convoluted for it's own good, and slightly on the long side, it mostly gels together by the end. The music was very well used, including a very apt use of the Jars of Clay song "Oh My God", I ever thought I'd hear that in a movie(although I have no respect for that band, they jumped the shark years ago on and left orthodox Christianity), and it works very very well. I think I can easily recommend this as a solid 7 to people who are just tired of the amoral trash coming out today.