I know the Left Behind series (both books and movies) gain an enormous amount of criticism!! There is far too much close mindedness for people to be silent. I would love to cover all that right now but I am critiquing a film...a film and film series I love, and a series of books I am very passionate about (doesn't mean religiously just honest to goodness LOVED THEM!!) After seeing the very well attempted Left Behind, I anxiously awaited the follow up sequel. The first time I saw it I admit I was disappointed but after seeing it again...most recently immediately after the first film I realize how great a sequel it is. A new director in the form of Bill Corcoran flawlessly connects the two films. The entire cast from the original returns and I think they all perfected their roles.
Left Behind II is a much deeper, moralistic message. More "preachy" some might say. Nonetheless they keep the story and the characters in tact and you keep riveted. The sequel is far more drama than action making it more slow paced but also furthers the story a great deal. The second book was chalk full of events and they tried to apply as much of that as they could in the second film. The performances are far more emotional and dramatic, and it will really tug your heart strings. You'll feel the emotion and that's awesome!! Once again they are working with a similarly small budget but do a decent job nonetheless. There is nothing less mainstream than a Christian film but they do their best to make it interesting for anyone and I think they succeed wonderfully. There is a such a great story here and the actors are all good enough to watch. Kirk Cameron is much better in the sequel as Cameron "Buck" Williams. His romance and relationship with Chloe Steele, played once again very nicely by Janaya Stephens is well thought out and really one of the focus' of the film. They have great chemistry although I think it's quite a bit held back because of Cameron's real life marriage to Chelsea Noble who plays Hattie Durham in the film. She also does a good job...some will say she is annoying, and campy and needy but for those of us who have read the book Hattie Durham is exactly that!!! Therefore she's perfect!! Brad Johnson continues to impress playing Rayford Steele and Clarence Gilyard Jr. as their spiritual "leader" Pastor Bruce Barnes is good as well although a little monotone at times.
Despite the drama and emotion they still do pull off some great action scenes and some great locations from around the world. The story is not quite as complex as it was in the original but if you watch these two films together you'll enjoy them both a great deal. So far this is a great series of films and certainly some of the best independent film making I've ever seen. It's not for everyone and you will get intense critics decided on how people should or would react when millions disappear. Funny how anyone would know that?? I guess if the Christians are right about all this we'll find out won't we?? The films are intriguing and both of them are brilliant, I love them...for myself...for anyone else I just don't know but for me they are amazing!!! 8.5/10
Left Behind II is a much deeper, moralistic message. More "preachy" some might say. Nonetheless they keep the story and the characters in tact and you keep riveted. The sequel is far more drama than action making it more slow paced but also furthers the story a great deal. The second book was chalk full of events and they tried to apply as much of that as they could in the second film. The performances are far more emotional and dramatic, and it will really tug your heart strings. You'll feel the emotion and that's awesome!! Once again they are working with a similarly small budget but do a decent job nonetheless. There is nothing less mainstream than a Christian film but they do their best to make it interesting for anyone and I think they succeed wonderfully. There is a such a great story here and the actors are all good enough to watch. Kirk Cameron is much better in the sequel as Cameron "Buck" Williams. His romance and relationship with Chloe Steele, played once again very nicely by Janaya Stephens is well thought out and really one of the focus' of the film. They have great chemistry although I think it's quite a bit held back because of Cameron's real life marriage to Chelsea Noble who plays Hattie Durham in the film. She also does a good job...some will say she is annoying, and campy and needy but for those of us who have read the book Hattie Durham is exactly that!!! Therefore she's perfect!! Brad Johnson continues to impress playing Rayford Steele and Clarence Gilyard Jr. as their spiritual "leader" Pastor Bruce Barnes is good as well although a little monotone at times.
Despite the drama and emotion they still do pull off some great action scenes and some great locations from around the world. The story is not quite as complex as it was in the original but if you watch these two films together you'll enjoy them both a great deal. So far this is a great series of films and certainly some of the best independent film making I've ever seen. It's not for everyone and you will get intense critics decided on how people should or would react when millions disappear. Funny how anyone would know that?? I guess if the Christians are right about all this we'll find out won't we?? The films are intriguing and both of them are brilliant, I love them...for myself...for anyone else I just don't know but for me they are amazing!!! 8.5/10