20 Minutes

We were at the Cannes Film Festival last year (when life was normal) and a bunch of my colleagues and friends wanted to attend this screening, but it was packed. But I got in thankfully.

This is truly one of the best movies I have ever seen. I warn you though that there is discussion on God which might make some a little queasy. I loved how the director really connects you with the nine characters as the nuclear missile approaches. Everyone talked about this after the screening.

I did get teary-eyed as everyone says their final farewells - this is not a spoiler by the way as it shows this in the trailer. You'll feel the pain of the characters as the missile comes. A film like this has never been made before.

In a way the entire film is a beautiful, horrifying masterpiece. What if you had twenty minutes to live as this monstrous missile approaches beautiful Hawaii? The absolutely stunning cinematography mixed with the urgent story-telling is simply masterful.

This is simply one of the best movie I've seen in last few years and I think you will agree when you watch it.

Problems. Well, the romances were perhaps too contrived, in the sense that I just don't accept that the significant others were separated as the missile was coming in.

A minor quibble, though. This is truly an excellent movie. My only regret is my other friends could not get into the screening at Cannes.

9/10

Just saw the film at a screening in Hawaii. It was packed despite all this covid stuff. This is the ONLY movie that has made me cry. I don't think I'll find another epic like this that'll make me cry.

I can only imagine what the people of hawaii went through when they all thought they were going to die.

People just have to watch this movie with ABSOLUTELY NO BIASED OPINION or preconceived notion that it is a faith-based film. That's how I came to love it. It's now my favorite movie of all time. Perfect blend of romance and disaster. They don't make movies like this anymore. This movie is full emotions, you feel love, despair, fear, you laugh, you cry, you feel bad for these characters and how they all find Christ in the end. PHENOMENAL STORY. So many people were weeping at the screening. Huge ovation. Everyone I went with LOVED THIS FILM. It stays with you until the end. KUDOS to all the actors and director.

The concept for '20 Minutes' is the Hawaii missile alert warning that came in 2018. I remember hearing about this on the news. All the brave people in Hawaii! As a Christian, this movie is very profound and is a total must see film - you cannot miss this movie.

All in all, 20 Minutes is a bonified masterpiece. I normally don't say that about a lot of films because I have been critical in the past with movies of this genre (disaster). Edited splendidly by J. Michael Rosen nd directed with gusto by Tim Chey, "20 Minutes" has the real feel of a true Best Picture Nominee (if it wasn't for the Christianity which is what makes this film work!). It also kind of serves secretly as a public announcement about the dangers of a future missile from a deranged dictator from guess what country?

"20 Minutes" is dangerous, epic, exhausting stuff and when it does move closer and closer to its conclusion, we get the pleasure of seeing two surfer friends come together to escape from the missiles destroying everything in its path. I've gotta admit seeing these two talented actors on screen gives me goosebumps. Oh heck, the whole film gives me goosebumps. If you love Christian movies and want to escape, "20 Minutes" is pretty serviceable. Just get a big bucket of popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride. I promise you will leave a changed man for God!

I'm a Christian movie review critic by trade (just FYI)

SCORE: 10/10

I actually feel speechless. That was one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life and I got to see it 3 days early. Wow. I feel like that changed the way movies will be made forever. It was the perfect blend of old and new, with absolutely incredible audio and visuals and some of the best storytelling I've ever seen in a movie. I just witnessed history. And this is based on true history in Hawaii.

There were multiple points in which the movie could've ended and I would've been satisfied, but it just kept getting better and better and better. I was also here for that nuclear warning in Hawaii, but all i can say is we were all a part of history that day and this film is a definite must watch. I was sucked in during the moments of breath-taking action, and I cried during every emotional moment this film had to offer.

This was a good film with a powerful message of tragedy, love and redemption all rolled into one. I loved the transformation of each of the nine characters and the repercussions of this possible, horrible 911 event happening with a ballistic missile from North Korea. Well-acted and well-directed. If there were any flaws, I'd have to say that the story showed the typical Hawaii locations again. What about all people of all cultural backgrounds? I would love to see a movie where all of these cultures are shown - like in real life. Nevertheless, the film soared in terms of its values and its understanding of the how a stark ending - 20 minutes left in your life - can bring someone closer to his or her maker. Loved the film and it brought tears to my eyes.

Special thanks to Ed, Julie, Clement for inviting me to the amazing screening. You were right in this is one of the best films I've seen in my life.