Heaven's War

A title such that "Beyond the Darkness" with a covering image from what looks like a star-war movie are nothing but a trap. The story tried to go through some of the debate going on between religious people and atheists and could have been much better if it was written more carefully, but it wasn't. Maybe the original story is good, but this movie definitely says otherwise. Was it due to acting or directing faults? After watching about an hour of it, I just don't care. Images are so dull and made without professionality, made with like an amateur with the 1950's visions, and the music is really good in inspiring all the 209 sleeping ideas - or were they 208?... So BORING.

If you didnt already guess by the fantastic image and the even greater trailer, this movie is a cringefest. i spent good 5 minutes laughing on this picture that kinda looks like star wars. the longer you look, the funnier it gets. who the heck thought it would be a good idea to produce this movie?

Let me address the elephant in the room. Yes, this is a religious movie. Before you decide not to watch the movie let me encourage you to let go of your stereotypes and consider this one. If you are a person of faith you will definitely enjoy watching the movie and the struggles the protagonist deals with. If you aren't a person of faith have you ever had that little voice in your head guide you or tell you something and followed or ignored that little voice. Our protagonist ignored the voice and Gabriel was sent to slap some sense into him and get him to listen to the voice. His failure to listen to the voice adds conflict to the story line and pulls you in emotionally.

Yes, this is about good and evil and the filmmaker doesn't hide the fact that he is a believer. Having said all that, I am a novice screenwriter and there are so many nuggets about storytelling in this film that it should be required watching for all film students. The use of cutting from one scene to another builds excitement and anticipation. The use of CGI adds to the story but doesn't make the story about CGI. Dialogue was realistic and there are some very emotional scenes.

Again, if you are a person of faith you will enjoy it. If you aren't consider this a love story on several different levels. If you are trying to get into the business watch and learn how to put all the pieces together to create a great story with conflict that has emotional impact.

In a nutshell, "Heaven's War" is a Christian movie that depicts the struggle between angels and demons for the soul of a U.S. senator. As a Christian, I liked that the movie attempts to lower the veil between our physical world and the spiritual world. The problem is that when you go too literal in your depiction it comes across as somewhat cheesy. By the end of the movie, it seemed to me the writer had attempted to turn "A Christmas Carol" into a political thriller. Still I would recommend that people see the movie for the message.

There's no doubt the audience for which this film was made. With that being said, the attention to detail, the risk-taking, and the overall redemptive message of this film are worth seeing it. The choreography of the fight scenes and other action scenes are well done. The CGI supersedes that of many film of this genre and budget. Well done.