Left Behind

Hark! A Christian thriller about the Last Days that doesn't (totally) suck. That's got to be a sign of the times.

Might be extremely effective while preaching to the converted, but it's no great shakes as secular entertainment.

Seems perfectly timed to coincide with the ascension to office of George W. Bush. It's a clunky effort Bush could have written and directed.

For all its intimations of fire and brimstone, the film isn't remotely frightening, and the high-school-level acting doesn't help.

A slow-moving, dirt-dull narrative crammed with clunky expository dialogue and obscure Biblical references.

A blundering cringefest, thanks to unintentionally laughable dialogue, hackneyed writing and uninspired direction.

It's well-shot and well-edited by Hollywood standards, though special effects don't reach the top Hollywood level. The stars have their hearts in their work: Cameron and Johnson don't have great depth but give their all. Currie makes a subtle villain.