Several years ago, I remember going to the theatre with Mary to see a Martin Short film called Clifford. It took us about 15 minutes to walk out of the theatre and request a refund, something I had never done before or since. It was THAT bad.
We just got done watching a movie that makes Clifford look like Shakespeare.
Over the years, Christian film-makers have lagged behind secular filmmakers for lack of creative scripts, technical prowess and fine actors. That is beginning to change as the Christian community is casting big-name stars in their productions and Mel Gibson\’s The Passion has shattered so many box office records.
From the Thief in the Night series in the mid-seventies, to the disappointing Left Behind flop, the last days, the rapture and the anti-Christ have been typical fodder for Christian film. Do we really need another end-times flick?
Thus begins our encounter with Gone, a film by Tim Chey.
Gone is another \”rapture\” film, expounding on what may take place when Jesus calls Christians off the earth, leaving the rest behind to suffer the wrath of God. It stars Dirk Been and Joel Klug (both of Survivor: Borneo fame).
The truth of the matter is, I am not going to review this film. It isn\’t worth it. But criticizing it is most definitely worth it since I just wasted 75 minutes of my life watching it.
It wasn\’t until I read the reviews on the back of the DVD case that I realized this was supposed to have been a drama and NOT a comedy! I\’m sure Tim Chey has a passion for filmmaking, but I have very little encouragement to offer him for this project. Gone may very well be the WORST film I have EVER seen. Terrible acting, an attrocious end-times script, convoluted last-days theology, poor overdubbing and awful sound effects (what was with the roosters?) made this movie agonizing to watch.
The box suggests that it would make an excellent evangelistic tool to lead others to Christ. I would never, EVER, and I do mean NEVER, use this film as a tool to share Christ with someone. It is embarrasingly bad. Gone makes The Judas Project look like a masterpiece. (Haven\’t seen The Judas Project? Don\’t. Save yourself the pain.)
What puzzles me most are the reviews on the back of the DVD case. \”Keeps you on the edge of your seat\”. Yeah, with laughter. About ten minutes into the film, my wife and I realized this was a dog and we had fun picking out all the errors and mistakes. \”Brilliant Film. Well crafted and convincing. Loved it!\” Um, hello? Are we watching the SAME film? \”Wow! The movie reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock film, especially the twist ending\”. How about a STUPID ending. Spoiler ahead. Oh, why should I warn you.
The guy wakes up from a dream. It was all a dream. But wait, it is coming true! AAAAAAAGGHHH. Didn\’t see that coming. Nope.
From the back cover…
In this post-apocalyptic thriller, �Survivor� stars Dirk Been and Joel Klug star as tenacious, young lawyers who are sent to Manila to defend a multi-national corporation accused of spilling hazardous waste; but instead, meet their fate in the last days of the Earth. Chaos ensues when the Rapture strikes, causing the characters to size up the world, humanity, and finally God in this highly intelligent, critically acclaimed motion picture, �GONE�.
Highly intelligent? I must be an absolute idiot. I mean, I must be the city idiot. Unless we have changed the definition of \”intelligence\” along with the definition of the word \”is\”, I just can\’t imagine anyone walking away from this film thinking they had been challenged intellectually or spiritually. Critically acclaimed? I can\’t take any more…
Avoid Gone like the seven plagues that are to come. If you are a Christian and want to share Christ with your friends, I suggest you look elsewhere.