Revelation Road: The Black Rider (2014) User Reviews

It's not abysmal, but a lot of work is needed

[lhikan-50572 · 4/10 · 5 November 2016]

The acting sometimes feels rigid, and some of the extent of situations seems unrealistic without additional context. Between the 3 (current) films, there's also a lot of filler with little plot progression. That trend continues in The Black Rider.

In order to keep up with the fight scenes of the first two movies, a lot of needless filler was added, pushing most of the real plot to the second half of the film. The fight scenes also weren't very well-paced and were like long breaks from the plot instead. They could learn a thing or two from Marvel on how to keep things flowing without the awkwardness.

The religious message is prevalent, though at times used with questionable accuracy. As with the first two movies, the Christian message is awkwardly juxtaposed with a protagonist with a penchant for killing. Though I have to give props for at least addressing the issue, it seems to be completely forgotten for the rest of the film.

The main turning point, both as the MacGuffin and in the tone, is the Shepherd. This is the only main character who doesn't seem to be awkwardly juxtaposed with the message of the movie - though he's also far from an action star.

I love ruminating on the book this movie is (loosely) based on as well as movies that attempt to interpret / depict the events. Though not quite cringe-worthy, the movie just doesn't have much going for it due to feeling like a single, stretched-out episode. When the series is complete, an abridged version might be better worth watching.

A fun ride

[morgancsimpson · 6/10 · 29 October 2014]

If you enjoyed the first two Revelation Road films, the third is worth a watch. It's not a perfect movie, but it is a fun ride that explores the aftermath of the Day.

It's B movie fun with solid writing and solid performances all around especially from James Denton.

The only weaknesses are some of the vfx in one scene early on, but it really does get better the deeper in you get. Bradley Dorsey's performance as a redneck opportunist selling human meat as real meat is my favorite of his yet! But don't worry it's not graphic. It's safe for younger viewers 10+.

The action is on par with the first two. Some great brawls keep the pace brisk. It reminds me of the first Mad Max in many scenes.

Overall, if you enjoyed the first two or enjoy post-apocalyptic films this is worth the couple hours.

THERE IS ALWAYS A BETTER WAY

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 28 April 2018]

We have our third installment which opens with a quick glimpse of Revelation 6:5, one that is not on the screen very long, perhaps assuming its audience has it memorized. It concerns the breaking of the seal and the black rider of justice. In fact a black rider on a black horse appears, looking like death...and just like that you never see him again. Later in the film, to add to the confusion Joshua (David A.R. White) is called the black rider, although Revelation fails to mention the vintage Dodge he rode around in. In case you haven't figured it out, Revelation unfolds in Montana. There are people who control all the wealth and food. They have a triangle swastika looking thing above their left eye. The world is anti-Christian because...well because the Bible said it would be.

In this installment Joshua is looking for "Grace" a woman doctor while riding around with Sophia (Hilty Bowen) because the film is in desperate need of eye candy. He battles a bunch of bad guys along the way, including one called "the beast" (Pete Fields) in case you didn't have enough Revelation references, although he is not THAT beast. Josh is your basic God-fearing Republican who doesn't believe in guns...except for maybe that one time. Bruce Marchiano makes another cameo as "The Stranger" as it is listed in the credits as if the audience is too stupid to figure out he is Jesus, as that is the role he typically plays in these films. Oops. Sorry if I spoiled the plot with that one.

White seems have gotten into the role, finally after three films and has turned it up a notch. Unfortunately they had a bad cast of extras, especially the uncredited crowd extras who had trouble yelling and jeering during the fight, only making noise on the directors cue.

It is a bad interpretation of Revelation, but one that many enjoy regardless.

Utterly Pointless

[naomiwashburn · 3/10 · 20 December 2014]

If I were to make a list of movies that are a complete waste of time, Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider would definitely be in the top ten. NOTHING happened in that stupid movie, and then they had the gall to tease ANOTHER sequel. Here's a rundown of this movie:

Josh goes to a place, fights some people, gets captured, then leaves. Josh goes to a different place, fights some people, gets captured, then leaves. Josh goes somewhere else, fights some people, gets captured, then leaves. Josh finds the macguffin he was looking for, gets shot, and dies. Josh is resurrected by the obligatory Jesus From The Encounter cameo. Josh goes to a place, fights some people, then gives a guy a ride. And it had to be Josh who gave him a ride because prophesy, despite the fact that they guy ALREADY HAD A VEHICLE before all this happened. Chaste kiss on the cheek from bland female love interest/person who has to convert. Sequel Bait. The end. You're supposed to be better than this, Pure Flix. Maybe next time spend a little less money on fight choreography and a little more on developing a script where something actually happens.

horrible

[octahexx-222-265577 · 1/10 · 26 January 2015]

Its really bad,the acting is bad the budget is bad,there is no plot except Christian hidden agenda feeding you reason to become Christian. the locations are seemingly just random normal places,there is no mood no way to tell this is the "apocalypse" its basically regular people walking around in their everyday clothing with some ski goggles or a scarf.

the plot is so bad you don't even care,the characters are less developed then regular commercial. its pretty obvious some church or movement funded this b movie so they don't even care about acting plots or anything.

you start to fiddle with other stuff while watching because your brain is simply refusing to take it in.

b movies can be bad in a good way but this just bad bad.

Sad Sack: Blunderdome

[Eradan · 3/10 · 25 February 2016]

"Black Rider: Revelation Road" is to the Mad Max series what "Christian Rock" is to Rock and Roll. If you're feeling generous (or desperate) you might say it was better than nothing. On the down side, there is way more religious talk than you're going to want to hear unless you're already an Xtian believer. The plot is repetitive, and ultimately nonsensical, even when the Xtian prophetic angle is taken into account. The soundtrack is bombastic crap that is absolutely awful. On the plus side, there are a few halfway decent fight scenes and some of the actors are competent, if not exactly inspired. David A.R. White, who plays the "Black Rider", can actually talk almost as well as he can kick so that's something I suppose.

Bottom line, this movie is not worth wasting time on. Rating 3/10

American muscle car on a mission

[scottshirey-877-567866 · 10/10 · 11 October 2014]

I'm not much into action movies, but I really enjoyed this one. It explores possible scenarios in America during the time of Revelation. A loner with a cool car who tries to help people, beats up bad guys, and in the course of events, ends up traveling with a beautiful woman who is trying to find her mother. What's not to like? It definitely has the Mad Max feel to it, but Biblical truths are weaved into the story. Josh McManus is a man on a mission, and has a Plymouth Roadrunner to get him there. As he and Sofia search for her mother, they are miraculously led to the mysterious "Shepherd", but will all their questions be answered? I never saw the first two movies in this series, so now I have to go buy those, too.

An important role to play

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 9 July 2020]

The third and currently last of the Revelation Road films has star/producer David A.R. White now firmly established as a Christian road warrior n the best tradition of Mel Gibson.

The bad guys who control a nice chunk of Southern California led by James Denton try to make a deal with him to bring them Robert Gossett who they're told is a subversive.

Gossett is certainly that. In fact he has a specific role mentioned in Revelations and the Deity has White earmarked for a part in helping Gossett on hi mission.

For a while these end time movies were becoming a cottage industry. This one is no better r worse than some.

Maybe David A.R. white will have the lack Rider ride yet again.

Very good

[lokobob · 8/10 · 18 January 2021]

The acting is great, the plot is great, everything about it is awesome. Only an atheist would have a problem with this movie because of it's Christian content.

Lacking the Impact of Its Two Predecessors

[Uriah43 · 4/10 · 21 March 2021]

Two years have passed since "Josh McManus" (David A. R. White) has lost his wife and child to the event known in some Christian circles as "the rapture." In those two years all government activities around the world have essentially given way to a mob mentality in which many small towns and urban areas have succumbed to for survival. To that effect, when a companion of his is stabbed Josh drives into one such town where the mayor, "Drake" (James Denton) makes a deal with him to try to help save his companion's life in exchange for his bringing back a doctor that left that same town a while ago to follow a man known as "The Shepherd" (Robert Gossett). Seeing no real ethical problem with this Josh agrees and sets out on his own to find the doctor. At least, he thinks he is traveling on his own. What he also doesn't know is that Drake actually only wants to find the location of The Shepherd for his own nefarious purposes and has no real concern for the well-being of his wounded companion-or his promises for that matter. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film didn't seem to have the same effect as its other two predecessors mainly because some of the characters simply weren't that believable. It also doesn't help that the ending opens itself up for a sequel which may not ever be produced. In any case, although not a bad film necessarily, I didn't get nearly as much out of it and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

Where is number 4?

[jtduggins · 10/10 · 28 July 2022]

This series was great! Where is #4? Hope it's in the making! White did a great job on this. Very biblical based. Lots of faith. Lots of Jesus (of the Bible which is the most important thing since most of the "Christian movies" these days don't have the right Jesus). Really hoping for a number 4!

Great story

[matwat-25273 · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

It's a wonderful has a little bit of a mad Max style end time story great actors it is an independent faith film

What will the world look like when the Author of Goodness takes His Spirit away

[grrogers55 · 8/10 · 18 December 2022]

The world, without holiness and goodness, will be one scary, hell on earth! Unrestrained man will be all the things history has revealed to us. Holocaust, extermination, mass murders, pandemics, racism, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, wars especially on a global scale, WWIII?, HATRED, riots, violent storms, a "savior" much like the evil world of men, with an attitude that whatever feels good, do it.

Hmmm, a lot of this is already going on. Imagine it happening all across the globe. The world has already turned its back on Christ and His Father. Imagine a day when Jesus takes His Spirit, dwelling in believers, off this planet. Then all that will be left is one evil against another. Hmmm, one evil nation against another evil nation, all the armies gathered to a place called The Valley of Megiddo, or Armageddon as it is known in name only, because Hollywood has thoroughly confused its meaning-Armageddon being a movie about an ELE Asteroid.

So, what will the End look like? It's hard for anyone to know because only God knows since He's already there. And He has only revealed a small portion of the future to us through His prophets.

The End is coming. Which side will YOU be on, the losing side? Not a pretty picture.