Left Behind (2014)

Vorlage:Use mdy dates Vorlage:Infobox film Left Behind is an American apocalyptic thriller film directed by Vic Armstrong and written by Paul LaLonde and John Patus. The film is based on the novel of same name, which is based on an interpretation of Bible prophecy, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, and is a reboot of Left Behind: The Movie. The film was released on October 3, 2014 and was panned by critics.

Plot

Without warning, millions of people around the globe simply vanish in the eschatological event called "the Rapture". This causes vehicles to crash, rioting and looting. Airline pilot Rayford Steele tries to deal with his hysterical passengers. He also has to try to land his plane when airports are filled with wrecks, as he wonders about his family. Journalist Buck Williams struggles to understand this devastating event. Ray's daughter, Chloe, struggles to find her mother and brother.

Cast

• Nicolas Cage as Rayford Steele
• Chad Michael Murray as Cameron "Buck" Williams
• Cassi Thomson as Chloe Steele
• Lea Thompson as Irene Steele
• Jordin Sparks as Shasta Carvell
• Nicky Whelan as Hattie Durham
• Lance E. Nichols as Bruce Barnes
• William Ragsdale as Chris Smith
• Martin Klebba as Melvin Weir
• Quinton Aaron as Simon
• Judd Lormand as Jim
• Lolo Jones as Lori

Production

On August 7, 2008, Cloud Ten Pictures announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement resolving the two lawsuits against it and Namesake Entertainment, which co-produced the films. The suit was filed by Tim LaHaye. The settlement ended a legal dispute over the Left Behind film rights that began in 2000.

On October 1, 2010, Cloud Ten again restored the rights of the film. Cloud Ten Pictures has announced that they are rebooting the Left Behind film series. It was in the news that they have better plans on making the remake of the big-budgeted theatrically released film series based on the novel Left Behind.

On October 31, 2011, it was reported by the news that Paul LaLonde and John Patus, who worked on the 2005 World at War together, have written a screenplay for the reboot. On October 19, 2012, it was reported in The Hollywood Reporter that stunt artist Vic Armstrong is set to direct the reboot film with the budget around $15 million.

Casting

On October 19, 2012, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Nicolas Cage was in talks to join the cast as a lead actor. He portrays the lead role of Rayford Steele in the film. In December 2012, it was reported that Chad Michael Murray was in talks to join the cast, to play the role of a journalist Cameron "Buck" Williams. On January 3, 2013, Ashley Tisdale joined to play the role of Chloe Steele in the film. In March 2013, Tia Mowry was in talks to join the cast of the film, later she joined. It was announced on August 9 that Tisdale dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. At that time, it was also announced that Jordin Sparks had signed on to join the cast. Sparks’ character is named Shasta. On August 13, Cassi Thomson joined the lead cast, replacing Tisdale as Chloe Steele. On August 19, 2013, Olympic bobsledder and hurdler Lolo Jones was announced as a cast member, portraying an airport gate attendant. On September 9, 2013, Lea Thompson was announced to portray Rayford Steele's wife, Irene.

The character Nicolae Carpathia does not appear in the film.

Filming

Principal photography began on August 9, 2013 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Release

The film was theatrically released on October 3, 2014 in the United States via Stoney Lake Entertainment.

Reception

Left Behind has been universally panned by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 2%, based on 48 reviews, with an average rating of 2.1/10. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 13 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike".

In a review for Entertainment Weekly, film critic Lindsey Bahr wrote, "At best, Left Behind is shoddily made sensationalist propaganda—with atrocious acting—that barely registers as entertainment. At worst, it's profoundly moronic. Audiences, Christian or not, deserve better, and it's hard to imagine that the ham-fisted revelations in this schlock could serve any higher purpose."

Christian magazine Christianity Today heavily criticized the film, saying, "Left Behind is not a Christian movie, whatever 'Christian Movie' could even possibly mean. In fact, most Christians within the world of the movie—whether the street-preacher lady at the airport or Rayford Steele's wife—are portrayed as insistent, crazy, delusional, or at the very least just really annoying. They want churches to book whole theaters and take their congregations, want it to be a Youth Group event, want magazines like this one to publish Discussion Questions at the end of their reviews—want the system to churn away, all the while netting them cash, without ever having to have cared a shred about actual Christian belief. They want to trick you into caring about the movie. Don't. We tried to give the film zero stars, but our tech system won't allow it."

Richard Roeper gave the film a grade of a D-, stating that "the writing is horrible, the direction is clunky, the special effects are not special [and] the acting is so wooden you could make a basketball court out of it."

Sequels

According to LaLonde, two sequels are planned, with Thomson, Murray, and Whelan all signed on to reprise their roles.

External links

• Vorlage:Official website
• Vorlage:IMDb title
• Vorlage:Mojo title
• Vorlage:Rotten-tomatoes
• Vorlage:Metacritic film