His Only Son

I'm baffled at the high reviews. Angie Studios is asking for honesty so here goes. Confidence was high going in because Angel Studios was behind this film. Their work a low budget on The Chosen has been outstanding.

As soon as the first scene opened and we see a really bad wig we knew we were in for a disappointment. The acting, dialogue, and perspective were a throwback to why Christian films never reached The Passion kind of success and now The Chosen's kind of success. We see between these two budget doesn't matter. Quality of reality matters.

I can look past bad wigs when the artistic license to fill out a biblical account is riveting. This was too somber from the opening scene. The only smile or element of expressed joy in living God was at Isaac's birth. The theme of obedience to God being that of a slave to a mysterious master was overwhelmingly daunting. It didn't stir a passion in us to want to know this God. Sarah's negative demeanor toward God n her husband became exasperating. It would have been better to see Sarah enjoy God with points momentary days of disappointment rather than her entire married life being depressing.

The character relationships were one dimensional. My husband and I discussed why couldn't the relationship between Abraham n God been one of warm faith and desire? Where God was inviting Abraham to know through experience his own Father's towards the loss of His own Son instead of a dry obedience? Like He did with Hosea. Why couldn't we see Isaac and Abraham enjoying each other as he was growing up and Abraham was teaching him the ways of faith, the way of faith that rewarded him with Isaac. If that dimension had been built the attempted sacrifice would have slayed unbelieving hearts in the theaters. We would have seen a young man lay down his life for love instead of dry obedience.

I know this review is going against the majority. I think we are loving the story of Abraham as those who've read it a million times. I think we are loving we got one more Christian film in the theaters. I think we are missing the point of these films being a tool to draw the unbelieving into His love. This film drew us into obeying out of duty not out of affection for a Good Father who had proved Himself already as a giver of good gifts through Isaac.

We honor the writers efforts and we have prayed dimensions of revelation of Gods love for to come as he grows in his art. When we as a community can do better and pull out dimensions that stir the most holy of emotions in unbelievers. We did with the Passion and we are doing it with The Chosen. Deepen our writing dimensions Lord!

The movie tries to jump around in the story artistically, but it's confusing even if you know the story. It added elements that don't make any sense nor added anything to the overall narrative. Isaac is probably a homeschool kid of one of the producers, because he's as white as my 2 buttcheeks and is a terrible actor. More unnecessary slow motion than any Zack Snyder movie. You can immediately tell who all the bad guys are because of the black eyeliner. The list of negatives go on and on.

Honestly, it's what you'd expect if you gave that one lady in your church a couple thousand dollars to throw a church play. Definitely trying to ride the coattails of the Chosen, and definitely falls flat.

This movie was so wonderful to watch, and the acting very well done. I was worried it would be too slow, but it followed the scripture and added, similar to The Chosen, some possible encounters on the three day journey.

Loved the way Jesus was a parallel to Abraham's story.

God's only son was perfect. The old testament characters were not, but God used them and kept His promises. I hope more movies like this will be made.

Be sure to read Genesis and talk to friends about the references in the New Testament that lead back to the old. God is still the same today, and seeing this movie is worth your time.

It is easy to get your hopes up for a Christian based movie to make as powerful an impact as the Chosen has.

That said, I love the story, most of the actors are very stiff.

Abraham is far too stoic for a man who hears the voice of God.

The artistic license of the journey to the mountain is somewhat interesting.

The movie does not inspire me to grow closer to God. The sermons I hear from an everyday minister are more inspiring.

I didn't hate the movie because I'm happy that there is still a chance that it touches someone's heart and changes their life.

I am happy to have Christian based content available for my family. My grandchildren were bored in the first ten minutes.

When they watched the Chosen they were glued to the screen.

While is is unfair to compare the two, that is exactly what I find myself doing.

This movie made up elements and left out such important ones. God's covenant with Abraham, God's speaking with and providing for Hagar, the visitation by the Lord and prophecy of Issac's birth in the coming year (when Sarah laughed, giving Issac his name). I would have preferred the story to be told linearly so we could have agonized with Sarah over her infertility, rejoiced at Issac's birth then really felt the gut punch when God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Also I would have liked to have seen more clearly portrayed Abraham's faith in God's promise that Issac would be the seed to generations and therefore God might even resurrect Issac if necessary. (Hebrews 11:17-19). The movie fell short of my expectations, but I'm glad it has spoken to so many. Hopefully the director will consider sticking more closely to scripture in his future endeavors.