Movie Review of Left Behind

Left Behind

Directed by: Vic Armstrong

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Chad Michael Murray, Cassie Thomson, Nicky Whalen, Jordan Sparks, Lea Thompson

Left Behind is an apocalyptic Action-Thriller movie starring Nicolas Cage based on the New York Times bestselling novel that brings biblical prophecy to life in modern times.

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.

The Steele family is caught on the razor’s edge of that darkness. RAY STEELE, an airline pilot, struggles to calm, and ultimately to save the lives of the passengers that remain on his flight, as the world below loses its ability to help his plane, and any other to safety. Running out of fuel, his equipment failing, his crew escalating into panic, Ray must guide the plane with the help of GWN reporter, CAMERON “BUCK” WILLIAMS who takes over the role of co-pilot in the face of the crisis. For Buck Williams, being trapped at 30,000 feet with a plane full of terrified passengers means a struggle to understand the incomprehensible.

On the ground, Ray’s daughter CHLOE STEELE struggles to find her young brother and mother, both of whom may have disappeared in the Biblical event. Forcing herself through the chaos, Chloe must navigate a world filled with terror and despair.

My Review:  ♥  ♥  ♥  and 1/2 ♥

I have mixed feeling about this movie. I loved some aspects and was that happy about others.

What I loved:

• Powerful storyline that focused only on the rapture and didn’t try to cram the entire book into a two hour movie.
• Great acting: What’s not to like about Nicholas Cage. I think the actors did a great job with the script they were given.
• Special Effects: The special effects in this movie were awesome. There just weren’t enough of them.
• Remake of song I Wish We’d All Been Ready

What I didn’t like as much:

• Slow moving plot: The movie was about the rapture, but for whatever reason, they decided to wait until half way through the movie to show it. It slowed things way down to the point that I didn’t like the first half of the movie at all.
• Cliché Christians: Every Christian shown before the rapture was one of those push their religion in your face type Christians. Considering this was a Christian world viewpoint movie, I found that odd.
• Not enough special effects: What they had was good, but the previews made it seem like this was going to be a blockbuster type movie, and it fell far short of that.
• Jordan Sparks performance: Jordan Sparks is a good singer, but she’s not that great of an actress.
• Not a strong enough declaration of what had happened: At the end, they mentioned this was probably the rapture, but with all the build up, it didn’t quite proclaim it with enough conviction.

In conclusion, I wanted to love this movie, but I didn’t. I did like it. If it hadn’t been for all the hype to get me to expect a Nicholas Cage Hollywood blockbuster, I probably would have liked it more. I didn’t expect it to be a normal quality Christian movie. That being said, it is worth watching once.