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Synopsis: Helen Hannah is the lead news anchor for WNN, the World News Network. When countries from all over the planet are firing deadly weapons at each other, and it seems that the world will implode, there are mass disappearances of people everywhere, and the missiles and nuclear bombs all vanish. New world leader Franco Macalousso says that he is responsible, but Helen's grandmother left a video before she disappeared that said otherwise: such a man is the Anti-Christ. After converting her longtime co-anchor and best friend Bronson Paul, both of their lives are on the line, along with those of all of the others who refuse to worship the new leaders. Will they be able to spread the Word in time? What is the fate of those left behind?
Story: 4/5
As I have done with some other films recently--G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, for one--I read the novelization of Apocalypse before seeing the movie. The book version was compelling, though I was unsure how some of the plot elements would translate to film. It turns out my fears were justified: The movie leaves out some poignant plot points that were in the book, such as Helen's backstory and the romance between her and Bronson. It's quite surprising, especially since the novel was written by one of the producers of the film.
Despite it not meeting this bibliophile's expectations in that department, Apocalypse spins a convincing yarn, even though I'm not sure the end times will occur exactly as these films show it. I started it before going to bed last night, and finished it today; I don't usually finish movies that quickly.
Production Values: 3.5/5
According to the copyright during the final credits, Apocalypse was released in 1998. However, it has the feel of a telefilm from no later than the early nineties. The video quality isn't the best, and some scenes are a little hokey. Even the soundtrack was especially annoying. Still, the showings of mass destruction, despite the fuzzy picture, were quite visceral.
Moral Content: 3/5
This movie may be rated "PG," but it would likely unsettle some kids. Not only are there numerous scenes involving places being blown up and mobs attacking innocent people, but it all plays out as a news report. If your children are freaked out by CNN or Fox News' coverage of incidents like 9/11, you should definitely wait until they're older to let them watch Apocalypse.
Elsewhere, there is a bloody wound caused by a mishap, someone is shot and killed--not graphically--and an imminent hanging is implied. Language is limited to one or two misuses of God's name by non-Christian characters. No sexual content or drug use, however.
Conclusion: Though the "end times prophecy" has always been part of the Bible, society in general is thinking about the end of the world, whether it be from the book of Revelation or the Mayan calendar. Apocalypse was made over a decade ago, but it would likely ring true for many today. That said, many are likely to disagree with how "the end" is depicted in this film, and the book version is better than the celluloid one. For those who enjoy Christian cinema, though there are better flicks in the genre--Courageous, Carman: The Champion, October Baby--you could also do much worse. (C Me Dance and The Fourth Wise Man, anyone?)
Score: 3.5/5
(Taken from my site: http://siobhansentertainmentreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/movie-review-apocalypse-1998.html)
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/26/23
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Audience Member
This is a good movie, like the left behind movies, but more detailed.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
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Audience Member
the first of 4 moives in this series, it is great movie that explains part of what will take place during the great truiation.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
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Audience Member
Apocalypse lacks entertainment, chemistry, or religious conviction.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
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Audience Member
It's hard not to compare <i>Apocalypse</i> to <i>Left Behind</i>, since both films share pretty much the exact same plot. I guess there's not a lot of diversity when it comes to Christian end-of-the-world theology, except that this movie follows the radical notion that the unbaptized (e.g. young children) will be saved when the Lord comes a-callin'. Furthermore, it posits the even more radical belief that when the saved are eliminated during the Rapture, their clothing will remain - neatly folded - where they were standing. Everyone is naked in Heaven.
The majority of this first movie in the hugely successful <i>Apocalypse</i> series is made up of actual news footage which has been co-opted to appear as though the events portrayed were related to the film. This fact makes the movie somewhat despicable, as it takes footage of plane crashes, warfare, and crying families and turns it into a statement about believing in God to avoid wide-scale destruction.
Actually, destruction is a positive thing in the fundamentalist apocalypse worldview. I've mentioned the insanity of it before, but the idea is that when the Anti-Christ comes to destroy the world, he will do so by - get this - <i>ending</i> war, spreading peace, and eliminating the tribal mentality. Yes, things are bad for Christians when things are good for the world. A friend of mine tried to explain this concept by telling me that Christians, fundamentalists especially, consider themselves to be 'apart' from the world. I guess they see things in terms of prophecy rather than public policy.
In any case, the Anti-Christ has indeed arrived in <i>Apocalypse</i> and it is up to the husband and wife news team of Bronson Pearl (what an awesome movie name) and Helen Hannah to spread the word that President of the World Franco Macalusso is not who he seems to be. Their weapon of choice? Clips of television evangelist Jack Van Impe (a producer for this film!) and his wife Rexella (real name, but still a totally awesome movie name) pointing to passages from the Bible that confirm that the Anti-Christ has arrived. A seven-year peace treaty! Oh no! That's a sign! That's all ridiculous of course, but what's most frustrating is when Hannah gives Pearl a guilt trip after he watches the clips and is not moved by the supposed prophecies. Her argument mostly amounts to, "Just believe it's true, then you will believe it's true!"
This is the first in a four-part series, so the ending does not wrap everything up as well as it could have. The word is out, and I guess that's the main thing. But as filmmaking goes, the picture is all rising action and no falling action. Nothing is solved and nobody bothers asking about God's judgment in killing people who were riding in the planes whose pilots got raptured. <i>Apocalypse</i> is surprising in that it does show an unmanned plane going down, but it doesn't show the carnage that would follow and completely ignores the implications. I guess the passengers left were all sinners because they didn't believe in Jesus enough, so they deserved to die a grisly and painful death?
In conclusion, <i>Apocalypse</i> is pretty standard fare, with little that is so outlandish to make it stand out in the realm of Christian cinema. There's some funny parts, but it's mostly bland and cheap. I'd definitely take the <i>Left Behind</i> series over this any day.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
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Audience Member
Movie about the beginning of The battle of Armageddon and the Rapture. I really liked how they used battle scenes to make it look realistic because their budget was obviously low. But i think to much emphasis was put on people being saved after the rapture has occurred. Left behind made this same mistake. But it was still a eye opening and good movie, Well done.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
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