Wonderful Movie

Film Perfection

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

In Purgatory demons and angels fight each other over souls. Sort of like "Blade Runner" meets "The Prophecy". I just have a few questions:1. The introductory captions state quite clearly that only one angel and one demon is allowed per cycle. And yet nearly all of the 14 demons and angels are present in Purgatory.2. Only one demon and one angel allowed? Let's say that was the case: does that mean there are actual rules to this tug-of-war game between the Horned One and God? If there are, then there must be a referee to enforce them. This begs the question: who is it?3. What are young kids doing in Purgatory? If humans don't hold children legally accountable for crimes why does God punish them for sins? What did they do: steal milk? Hit a friend on the head? Use "nya-nya-nyanya-nya" to taunt their friends in playgrounds?4. If you find yourself in Purgatory, surely you'd be HEAVILY inclined and motivated to be good - coz you found evidence of afterlife hence why would evil reign in the city? Shouldn't EVERY lost purgatorian soul be vying to get into the shiny place rather than the fiery place?5. Guns in Purgatory? Really? Now, how the hell did humans manage to smuggle guns into that place? Oh right... the Devil. He is the arms dealer probably.6. How can civilians be killed in Purgatory? Aren't they already dead and awaiting some heavenly tribunal or something to decide whether they go up or down? Where do they go next, another Purgatory?7. What a weird plot-twist: angel Michael had become the leader of Hell's minions. Not only that, but his identity wasn't known by God? Gabriel was sent to Purgatory WITHOUT knowing this crucial fact? So basically God doesn't even pay attention to what's going on in purgatory; I guess it's not a priority. Do Satan and God just send angels and demons and not check up whats going on there? At least occasionally?8. One would expect a female angel to be beautiful, but instead the pungent casting director gave us a nepotist, the irony being that even the demon blonde looks a lot better. Yes, on closer scrutiny nothing makes sense, but then again one is not supposed to let common sense get in the way of entertainment in those religious flicks. The plot moves quite slowly, this being a lengthy film, and the action scenes - whatever few there are - don't display much flash.

There's been quite a few good films coming out of Australia in recent years, but this is sadly not one of them. I found about GABRIEL by looking at the filmography for the director Shane Abbess, after watching the trailer for his new film INFINI. Since INFINI looked pretty good (from the trailer, at least; it could end up being disappointing), I thought I should give this one a look see. Who knows? Maybe it could be decent? This movie fails on just about every level that matters. What it does get right, or at least makes it a little interesting, is extensive mythology it covers and a cool visual style. Unfortunately, those elements aren't terribly original and have been given better treatment in other films, like PRIEST (which still wasn't good), BLADE RUNNER and DARK CITY. The plot is kind of difficult to sum up, but I'll go ahead and try. Basically, Purgatory is the place where souls go after people die but haven't been judged yet (like in Catholicism). But in the film, there is a battle waged between Light and Dark that takes place in this realm, and currently Dark is winning. There's some rather complicated backstory at the beginning along with some narration, but I'd forgotten most of it in 15-20 minutes. That's how little I cared about what happened on screen. The worst part about it was how depressingly dull it was. Granted, this is a low-budget film, so I'm not ragging on it for that, but the color palette was too boring. The acting also wasn't great either. Although there was occasionally some moments where it felt emotionally honest/real, most of the time all of the actors talked in this ponderous manner that really didn't work at all. I suppose I should give credit where it's due, so for what it's worth the special effects weren't too bad for a low-budget film. Even the fight choreography and camera-work were pretty decent, although there were far too many closeups (again, probably to hide the budget). Despite the fact that they cribbed the visual aesthetic from a dozen other, better movies, this film doesn't completely discourage me from potentially seeing Shane Abbess' next film. GABRIEL is occasionally inventive, has more plot than it knows what to do with, but ultimately was just too boring to recommend.

First of: If you don't feel like reading all the review, at least read the Bottom line at the end, it will tell you all you need to know.I was surprise to see this movie has just 5 stars accumulative in IMDb. Usually IMDb is a great place to get good references for movies, but this time, don't pay too much attention to bad reviews.I can understand if people didn't like the movie, but the comments from people who rated the movie low just doesn't make sense.The acting is good, specially coming from unknown actors... I particularly liked the performance of Dwaine Stevenson. But most other characters did a very good job as well.The setting was portrayed adequately, and the effects, I believe, for the most part where good, not over-done or exaggerated.Truth is, I would change a few things from the movie, but that is also true for most movies I see, possible exceptions include Training Day and The Matrix...If you are looking to compare this movie, you need look no further than Constantine, but it is in no way a copy, it just resembles in how it feels for the viewer.I personally think that a low budget didn't hurt this movie that much, and the people involved did a far better job than with bigger, higher-budget blockbusters.Bottom line is: If you think the premise of the movie seems interesting, you will probably like it. Otherwise, don't see it cause you'll just be another reviewer posting a bad review on a good movie.

The battle for Purgatory is waged by angels and fallen in landscape that resembles a city of night. Purgatory is hidden from the dark and the light and until Gabriel arrives he has no idea what he's gotten himself into, or what the rules are. The six angels that have gone before him have either been killed, wounded or become mortal. If there is any hope for the souls that pass through the land Gabriel must find some way to defeat the fallen who now rule the land and allow the dawn to come.This is a dark brooding film that looks like its been cribbed from any number of other films, but it works on its own terms. Those terms include a bit more style over substance, with the look of the film seemingly geared toward creating the dank mood that pervades the film. The mood seems to be what the film is about since the theology is more the excuse to have super humans running about firing guns at each other.(I'm still not sure why the place looks at it does, or why there are "mortals" but I guess thats the film's conceit and we have to go with it).In all honesty I had to watch the film twice before I could come up with anything to say about it. The first time, early this morning it struck me as kind of a purely form over content film with the look of the film trying to make the film seem hipper then it really was. The second viewing just a little while ago made me feel better about the film since I got a sense that perhaps there was more then just the look. I think the problem is that the film is actually trying to do too much with the result being that the film has to stop frequently to explain things.Several times the film stops dead so that someone can explain to Gabriel the way things are. This would be fine in the real word but not in a film where it slows things down.(I don't know why the filmmakers created a story where this was necessary-actually I do, the premise that the Light can't see purgatory and doesn't know whats going on or the rules is a clever one, the downside is it requires endless explanation) Ultimately though this is a good little movie. Personally I think it could have and should have been better. Its worth a look especially if you like the dark brooding look it has.Between 6 and 7 out of 10 with bits much better then that.One last note-I really hated the eyes of the fallen.