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Gordon Currie is downright creepy as Nicholae Carpathia, aka The Antichrist

As far as unfortunate cheese and silliness, there are still some gems here. One of the worst moments is a completely unneeded and inappropriate scene transition from the head of a Christian about to be executed to an exploding clay pigeon as a gun fires.

Story-wise, some things just make no sense. I was aggravated that as Christians keep dying from the contagious virus, more and more of them keep flocking into the contaminated church to visit the ill. These misguided helpers even drink out of the same communion cup as the infected. Look, even in Armageddon, disease prevention is still prudent! I'll also warn that the resolution to the virus plotline is just as silly. While probably a fault of the book (and I know the movie is trying to demonstrate God's providence), the answer to how the good guys solve their virus problem is just downright silly. All I will say is that it is a good thing tribulation believers don't use grape juice in communion.

Still the movie is grounded by Gossett, Currie, and plenty of fodder for thought and discussion about discerning God's will, the way evil works, and the detrimental decisions we can make when trying to do good. Even set in the tribulation, the movie has much to say about life as a Christian today (or weekly, or whatever).

Talk About It

1. Buck finds himself not knowing God's plan for him until prayer leads him to a vision. How do you attempt to discern God's will? How has God shown you a path? How do you know when it's God showing you the way?
   
   
2. C. S. Lewis once wrote: "The safest road to hell is a gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts. It's that slippery slope that you gradually go down as your life passes you by." How is this applicable to the character arc of President Fitzhugh?
   
   
3. How is Carpathia similar or different to your vision of evil or the Devil?
   
   
4. What aspects of faith did this movie, or the Left Behind saga, make you think about?

The Family Corner

This movie is rated PG-13 for violence, but it's pretty tame even compared to primetime television drama series. There are many explosions, people are shot, and lives are placed in danger.

Photos © Copyright Cloud Ten Pictures

© Todd Hertz 2005, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Last weekend, more than 3,200 churches presented Left Behind: World at War, the third film in the series based on the bestselling books. But it was harder to find detailed reviews of the film in the press, though newspapers noticed the film's unusual distribution plan—opening weekend in churches, followed by a DVD release on Tuesday.

Some Christian film critics got to see the film in advance of its release.

Adam R. Holz (Plugged In) calls this Left Behind movie "the best of the lot, and the unfolding story line involving now-familiar characters should meet devotees' expectations." He also notes that the filmmakers "have designed this film very intentionally as a means to proclaim the gospel message. And indeed, it's impossible to miss Buck's clear and in-your-face gospel presentation to President Fitzhugh. Kudos, then, to the filmmakers for knowing exactly what they wanted to accomplish."

Douglas Downs (Christian Spotlight) praises the production value, and writes, "I think that most Christians will enjoy the effort." But he concludes, "I am not sure that the film will be effective on its own as an evangelistic tool. I'm afraid that it might create more questions or confusion."

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The third film in the popular end-times stories will roll out this weekend not to theaters, but to churches—and more than 3,000 screens. We got the scoop from Peter Lalonde, who has produced all three movies.