From Vox magazine: Just leave it behind

Photo Courtesy of Stoney Lake Entertainment

Published in voxmagazine.com Movie section

If you’re expecting to see fiery destruction and heart-pounding action in this apocalyptic thriller, think again.

Left Behind, an adaptation of a 1995 Christian book by Jerry B. Jenkins, follows Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson) during a visit to New York to see her devoted Christian mother Irene (Lea Thompson) and pilot father, Rayford (Nicolas Cage).

Things take a turn when, in the blink of an eye, her younger brother Raymie vanishes. Only his clothes and a backpack remain. He isn’t the only one to disappear. Millions around the world instantly disappear and leave clothes on their backs.

As chaotic as the planet could become in a situation as peculiar as such, this film does a great job of making it condensed and boring.

The majority of the 110-minute, longer-than-there’s-plot-for film takes place on Rayford’s plane, which becomes panic-stricken after the worldwide disappearing act.

After an hour of plane passengers asking the same questions, the film became a snooze fest.

For a movie built on what was predictably revealed to be the rapture — which encompasses both religion and the apocalypse — a variety of dimensions could’ve given the story color: What about an anti-christ? Why not incorporate a frightening depiction of the seven years of tribulation? What’s happening in other parts of the world?

If you aren’t a Christian or curious about the faith, the film may not be something you’d want to spend your cash on.

But then again, Chad Michael Murray pops up in the film, and who doesn’t love a little eye candy?

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