Overall I was entertained for a solid chunk of time, and I enjoyed the lack of effort on the filmmakers part to make the movie more than it was. It's just a b-movie, and it wasn't half bad if you're not expecting much more than that, which (considering it's budget and it's overall theme) you shouldn't be anyway.
Though they use obvious references to past films (particularly The Crow, The Matrix) they cut back substantially on obnoxious elements from those films, such as over-showing how horrible the sinners are. Sure there is a drug element and one or two "kinky" sex moments, but the horrible scene is a near rape which I found almost necessary to the characterization.
Also, unlike previous films, they kept the action scenes fairly downplayed and focused instead on connections between the angels, and the soldier mentality that appropriate characterized Gabriel. As far as the characters go, I found their view on angels a bit more original than it's given credit for.
Typically the main character angel should fall or show decline in his resolve: doubt God. Yet Gabriel's all about his fellow angels (loving them, saving them even when he shouldn't) which plays off his constant desire and need to follow through on orders (because he is the last soldier and as a good soldier, understands this). And that love for others mixed with soldier mentality is much more true to the general religious views of angels and their purposes than most movies allow, even if they sin in this film.
**SPOILER** True to that characterization he does in fact bring back the light in the end, and while many people may be confused by his suicide afterward (which ruins his chances of getting back home to his commander) it in fact is a play off his love for the other angels. He completed his orders, but going back and forgetting his companion angels as well as all they had suffered for the cause was something he could not do. So to avoid the choice: either forget or fall, he simply ceased to be and therefore remained (in a way) caught in his own purgatory(neither good nor bad). Ironic, if not cliché. **END**
I thought that idea was pretty fresh for the genre. It was a good drive for the movie and they handled it well considering other flaws this movie excelled at.
Yes, the effects are not perfect or even great. The directing is only fairly good and the bad guys leave MUCH to be desired (too cliché and badly handled. Think The Crow City of Angels).
But if you're looking for some entertainment and some action and some drama, then check this one out. And please leave any film critique mentality at the door because it isn't perfect. It was just a b-movie and nothing I saw during prompted me to believe it was (or should have) been anything more.
Though they use obvious references to past films (particularly The Crow, The Matrix) they cut back substantially on obnoxious elements from those films, such as over-showing how horrible the sinners are. Sure there is a drug element and one or two "kinky" sex moments, but the horrible scene is a near rape which I found almost necessary to the characterization.
Also, unlike previous films, they kept the action scenes fairly downplayed and focused instead on connections between the angels, and the soldier mentality that appropriate characterized Gabriel. As far as the characters go, I found their view on angels a bit more original than it's given credit for.
Typically the main character angel should fall or show decline in his resolve: doubt God. Yet Gabriel's all about his fellow angels (loving them, saving them even when he shouldn't) which plays off his constant desire and need to follow through on orders (because he is the last soldier and as a good soldier, understands this). And that love for others mixed with soldier mentality is much more true to the general religious views of angels and their purposes than most movies allow, even if they sin in this film.
**SPOILER** True to that characterization he does in fact bring back the light in the end, and while many people may be confused by his suicide afterward (which ruins his chances of getting back home to his commander) it in fact is a play off his love for the other angels. He completed his orders, but going back and forgetting his companion angels as well as all they had suffered for the cause was something he could not do. So to avoid the choice: either forget or fall, he simply ceased to be and therefore remained (in a way) caught in his own purgatory(neither good nor bad). Ironic, if not cliché. **END**
I thought that idea was pretty fresh for the genre. It was a good drive for the movie and they handled it well considering other flaws this movie excelled at.
Yes, the effects are not perfect or even great. The directing is only fairly good and the bad guys leave MUCH to be desired (too cliché and badly handled. Think The Crow City of Angels).
But if you're looking for some entertainment and some action and some drama, then check this one out. And please leave any film critique mentality at the door because it isn't perfect. It was just a b-movie and nothing I saw during prompted me to believe it was (or should have) been anything more.