Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002)

Given the fact that in Left Behind II the book Ray and Amanda get married, and so do Buck and Chloe the movie was alright. They forgot to include the weddings, and Ivy had no place in the books. Book 2 in the series also did not include Nicolae being asked to lead the UN/the world, that had already happened. This movie also depicted the two witnesses pretty well, and for that I give them a reasonable rating. Left Behind II also included Ray asking Hattie for the job of flying Nicolae's plane, which was not in the book. Tsion Ben Judah had to flee after his announcement Jesus was the Messiah with Buck in book 2, we do not see this in the movie. Lackluster, but OK. 6.0 out of 10 stars max

Some people suggest that it is not our place to criticise Christian films, and while a film about the end times may be interesting, I think we can get to the point where we dwell so much on them that we fail to see the bigger picture. The book, written by so called End Times expert Tim Lehaye, is simply a piece of speculative fiction that would be entertaining if not for the scary fact that some people believe that these stories are true. Look, Christ actually warned us against attempting to predict the end times, even with vague ideas by suggesting that because something is happening then Christ must be coming soon. Well, the bible pretty much says that Christ has been coming soon ever since he ascended into heaven. Also, I am sure that the ancient Christians thought that the end of the world was upon them when Rome was sacked, and that the tribulation had began, yet 1500 years has now come and gone since that happened.This movie is a little better than the first one though because at least it does give an outline of who Christ is and what he done, despite the fact that it still seems very contrived and forced. Okay, saying that somebody is in heaven is all well and good, and to some of that saying things like that is fine, but when we notice that theologically nobody actually goes to heaven, but rather inherits a place on the restored Earth then it can also come across as a little cheesy. Even then, some of the conversions are quite stomach turning (and this is all this movie seems to be, people becoming Christians), particularly with the guy named Chris (where did he come from). We have Ray sitting in his room telling Chris that he has a choice to either accept or reject Jesus, yet it is quite clear that Ray isn't going anywhere until he gets the answer he wants.As for the character of Nicolae Carpathian, he was just pathetic. In fact the character, and especially the accent, were just plain annoying. It was not the uncomfortable cringe you get when you encounter a character you do not like, but rather that intense irritation you get when you are confronted with a character that is so shallow and pathetic that you simply cannot stand watching him, and almost want to run from the room whenever he appears. Also, as I have mentioned, I think it is also insulting to Eastern Europeans to suggest that the anti-Christ comes from Romania.Oh, and then there is the so called climax of the film. First of all there are two witnesses at the 'wailing wall' who are being cordoned off and silenced. As it turns out these guys are actually Moses and Elijah (though why Moses since he was not taken up to heaving in a fiery chariot, he simply dies), but I wonder if this guys can go around torching people with fiery breath, and that they have an important message to tell, then why do they let themselves be imprisoned at the wailing wall. The second part of the climax (and this appears in the book as well) is when this super hardcore Jewish Rabbi comes to the conclusion that Jesus is the Messiah. Look, stranger things have happened, but I did find this to be somewhat insulting.

This movie basically consists of two parts: Praying and endless talks. I think only "the Flanders" types will enjoy this movie greatly as it displays their views perfectly: No fun, no action, just talks, talks, talks, some tears, good messages, conversions etc. It will bore you to death - you may as well go to the free evangelizing propaganda "education", no need to pay rental, it is free! It is compiled middle-America bigotry movie: OSN is tool of Antichrist, the unified money is tool of Antichrist, religious tolerance is tool of Antichrist etc etc. And, of course, the lead and "fuhrer" of OSN of course the Antichrist itself. And the biggest announcement of the leading Rabbi, after endless study of the same, only and single book is... tada tada! The Messiah... was the Christ, sorry for the error, Rabbi stops being Judaist and becomes Christian. This is the super explosive message that is supposed to shake all the world at one! This movie is like Omen series, but without any fun or horror - only 100% pure Christian boredom!

I've never read the Left Behind series, nor knew there was a book out for this.However, to me this movie, as was the first, was good. If you believe in the revelations, and believe that the anti-Christ will come and that those with faith in god, who accept Jesus Christ as our savior and that those who did would be whisked away to heaven, then I suggest watching this movie.This is a movie for Christian and regilious followers, as well as some of the semi-believers or those that just want to sit down to a good movie.This movie follows greatly to the ideals of the revelations, and in some cases, Christ followers manages to deter Nicholis (Satan).I feel this was a great movie to watch. Good as the first.