Left Behind III: World at War

As with most viewers of this film, I'm an avid reader of the books. The first 2 films have Buck, Ray and Chloe as the main characters but in this the second sequel they play second-fiddle to Louis Gossett JR's Presidential effort. World at War is based on the meeting he has with Buck in the book series.

The problem is - this film is as awful as the first two. Amanda appears just from nowhere and suddenly has a significant part to play (I won't reveal it in case anyone hasn't read the series). Other illogical parts feature. I really really want Cloud 10 to make a good Left Behind film but sadly this is similar in all the bad ways to the first 2.

Let me first say that I received the "Left Behind Trilogy" as a Christmas present from my brother who, like me, has a strange love of really bad film. I watched all three movies in a row, totally uninterrupted other than leaving for much needed cigarette breaks. Never have I ever seen such unmitigated crap in my life. As a Christian, I have to say I have rarely been this offended. That being said lets get down to the film. The first two films: Crap. The third: Crap, but not quite as crappy and here is why. The production value was surprisingly good as was the photography. Big props to the folks who free-lanced on this film and managed to walk away with their creative souls intact. Now for the not so great. EVERYTHING ELSE. The acting, the writing, the browbeating of message. Just when I wasn't so sure that this was a Christian film, the script gladly supplied me with yet another prayer moment. The only time I've ever seen this many prayers was at an Irish Catholic funeral for a priest. A small little piece of advice to the religious right filming community; try subtlety. It make so much more enjoyable for the viewer.

If you are a fan of the Left Behind series of books or movies you will enjoy this film. I can honestly say that I enjoyed it more the second time I watched it then the first. There are some points in the movie that you have to watch closely to get the why and how of the message. I got it better the second time than the first. I had showed the first two Left Behind movies at my church then showed this movie when it was released so we were excited about seeing the long awaited part three. No one was disappointed. Please watch the movie. Do not let the opinion of someone who has no idea of what the movie is about to dissuade you. I would suggest that you watch "Left Behind" and Left Behind Tribulation Force" first. Why not just call a bunch of friends over, pop some popcorn and have a Left Behind Film Festival. Who knows, it might just change someone's life.

This movie stands alone, but is third in a series about the possible end of the world. The weapon today is...biological warfare!

Blond, handsome, charming Nicolae Carpathia (played by Brad Pitt's one time roommate Gordon Currie) had charmed the US President Fitzhugh (the distinguished Lou Gosset Jr) into disarming "in the name of peace". (Yes, like Hitler in 1930's who pretended peace as he rapidly rearmed. We haven't learned...)

And in an early scene, great editing and effects punctuate this question: Will Carpathia attack the US??? Gossett, not above pulling a gun to get info, will strike...but how can he attack back?

The US has no real weapons left.

Here, the small, very new Cloud Ten Productions shows how quickly they are learning to put together good films. (Even the first 2 "Left Behind" movies do not have the sophisticated editing, directing, scripting of this movie...)

The movie looks kind of like a regular action movie at first however while sitting through the movie you notice that there's a lot of chistianism in it. It contained to much references to the bible which I as an atheist who wasn't aware of the movie content didn't appreciate. At one part the president of the united states who must be black according to the movie makers when the end of time is near, abducted a regular guy (the main character) and asks him a question and the guy takes a bible and read's a verse from it, yikes.