To paraphrase a recent quote..."Dear Lord, why must your most ardent followers unleash such poor (non-great) movies in your name? As one who longs to see biblical or Christian movies released that will make the world sit up and take notice...like Mel's Passion of the Christ!
I know they have a low budget, and I applaud their efforts..it was a very good effort...with mixed results.
First the good: (in no order) 1. Most the main characters were well cast and solid. 2. Some good sets and scenery. 3. Some good sweeping external camera shots going for a Lord of the Rings look. 4. Some shining moments scatted here and there, some very well done. 5. The story...some additions and liberties taken work, some didn't.
The NOT so good: what kept it FROM being great! 1. Editing poorly done, even amateurish at times, especially during the 1st 1/4 of the movie...jumping all over the place. Probably confusing for those who don't know the story of Esther. Was somewhat for me, and I did know the story! 2. Directing & Cinematography - some poor choices of camera shots. 3. Acting and accents inconsistent and varied. 4. Lighting another mixed bag, sometimes very good, sometimes very poor.
Obviously very good/great Editing, Directing, Cinematography, Lighting, and Acting are critical elements needed to help make a movie truly GREAT! Sometimes they hit, but more often then not they missed...which was very disappointing for me.
Again it was a great effort, but I can only imagine what it could have been...GREAT and world impacting...like the classic Ten Commandments and Ben Hur were in their day!
6/10
I know they have a low budget, and I applaud their efforts..it was a very good effort...with mixed results.
First the good: (in no order) 1. Most the main characters were well cast and solid. 2. Some good sets and scenery. 3. Some good sweeping external camera shots going for a Lord of the Rings look. 4. Some shining moments scatted here and there, some very well done. 5. The story...some additions and liberties taken work, some didn't.
The NOT so good: what kept it FROM being great! 1. Editing poorly done, even amateurish at times, especially during the 1st 1/4 of the movie...jumping all over the place. Probably confusing for those who don't know the story of Esther. Was somewhat for me, and I did know the story! 2. Directing & Cinematography - some poor choices of camera shots. 3. Acting and accents inconsistent and varied. 4. Lighting another mixed bag, sometimes very good, sometimes very poor.
Obviously very good/great Editing, Directing, Cinematography, Lighting, and Acting are critical elements needed to help make a movie truly GREAT! Sometimes they hit, but more often then not they missed...which was very disappointing for me.
Again it was a great effort, but I can only imagine what it could have been...GREAT and world impacting...like the classic Ten Commandments and Ben Hur were in their day!
6/10